Backgammon Priming
From the beginning of the game, players should be considering how they could block the opponent from moving across the board. One of the best ways to do this is to build several consecutive blocking points on the board. This is known as backgammon priming and also serves to prevent the opponent from letting his back checkers escape.
A priming game occurs when both sides have developed a four or five prime block each. Naturally, there will be several checkers blocked behind these primes. If both sides have built primes, it is not to say that one is not more at an advantage than the other. There are several factors that you need to consider to work out your position in a priming game and what your subsequent move should be.
How Big is the Prime?
The length of your prime is probably the most important factor in a priming game. A five-prime is more effective than a four-prime. A six-prime is the best of the lot and will successfully block any attempts by the opponent to escape.
How Far Back are your Checkers?
You should aim to bring your checkers as near to the prime as possible to make escape easier. Your back checkers should be as close to the edge of the prime as you can possibly bring them. Do everything that you can get your back checkers beyond the prime, even if it means exposing yourself to a blot. Your strategy should be twofold: To keep the opponent’s checkers from escaping and to escape yourself. Risks can (and should) be taken to prevent the opponent from going beyond your prime as this could make or break your backgammon game.
Do you Have an Anchor?
A good strategy is to create a point with your back men right at the edge of the opponent’s prime to create a safe spot in his home board for yourself.
When Should I Double in a Backgammon Priming Game?
When a backgammon game develops into a priming game, you should double either if you have managed to escape one of your last two back checkers beyond the opponent’s prime OR if the opponent has less than a five-prime.
Should I Resign?
Consider how many blots you have open on the board before hitting the opponent’s checker in order to escape a prime. If you have too many, and you put yourself at risk by getting hit, consider waiting it out. It might be better for you in the long run to lose the game although still managing to bear off one checker in the process, than to risk handing the opponent the chance of a gammon or backgammon.
How Ready for Change am I?
A simple rule of thumb is for a player to be ready to change tactics if and when a prime collapses. Usually, players are advised to play aggressively after a collapsed prime in order to buy some time to recreate the prime or get the back checkers beyond the opponent’s prime. Obviously, the ideal situation would be to keep the prime lasting as long as possible but players should be flexible and ready with Plan B if necessary.
