The Secret to Making the Right Backgammon Play

by Phil Simborg
22 December 2009

Phil Simborg

Look at the roll. Look at all the options. Move the checkers around and see which play looks better. Think carefully. Look carefully. See if you can remember a position like this in the past and see if you can remember what the right play was then. Study the position carefully, and then make your play.

You do all of the above, and later you find out your play was a huge blunder!

I guess you just have to come to the conclusion that you're just not that good—you are going to just have to settle for making blunders from time to time. You know you were concentrating; you know your mistake was not just because you were in a hurry or were distracted. You just didn't read the situation properly. You know there was nothing else you could have done at the time to find the best play.

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Subject: Re: The Secret to Making the Right Backgammon Play

From: julian

Date: 24 Dec 2009 08:10 EST

Good valid points, Phil. If I can add one more tip, it would be to spend extra time looking at all the options when you've rolled a double, especially a big one. Two reasons for this: 1) It's easy to make a play (from several reasonable alternatives) that improves equity substantially, but is not the optimal play, 2) The race and whole complexion of the game can change in that one roll, and it's necessary to re-evaluate the game plan as a result. Looking at my own checker error rates, I'd say that rolling a double is one of the biggest areas of equity leakages. Perhaps it's because the Big Picture can be turned on its head with a double 4, 5 or 6 that we can have a problem making a proper evaluation. Spending more time on these moves pays dividends in my experience. Regards

Julian Minwalla

Subject: Re: The Secret to Making the Right Backgammon Play

From: PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date: 24 Dec 2009 08:43 EST

Thanks Julian....taking more time on doubles is an excellent point. Here is what I advise relative to doubles:

"Look for a really great move. Then find a better one."

Subject: Re: The Secret to Making the Right Backgammon Play

From: Tilly Member has a photo available

Date: 17 Jan 2010 07:18 EST

I'm pretty new to this and I tried to determine it from content, but don't think I was successful. What does it mean in game plan -- priming . Running & hitting are pretty obvious, but priming might mean observing and deciding?

Subject: Re: The Secret to Making the Right Backgammon Play

From: PhilSimborg Member has a photo available

Date: 17 Jan 2010 09:50 EST

Priming refers to making several points in a row with one or more of your opponent's checkers behind that blockade. The classic prime is 6 points in a row...when you have that, your opponent is not able to get by you, so even if he is up in the race, as long as you hold that prime, he cant move his checker(s) past you.

Even if you cannot make a 6 prime, a 4 or 5 prime (4 or 5 points in a row) can also be a major block to keep your opponent from escaping from your inner board. Once you have him trapped, you have a very strong position provided you can keep your other checkers moving.

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