Should I stop building primes?

evilari · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

I have been playing for about three weeks now and I have noticed that I usually end up focusing on priming as my main strategy. Is this normal for a beginner? Also, I have a bit of trouble knowing when to break my primes or if I should switch to a different strategy. Any advice?

Kleinman · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

I think that it is normal for beginners to focus on priming as this is usually the first strategy that people learn. However, priming isn’t always the best idea.

If you see that you are way behind in the pip count then yes, building primes to hinder your opponent while you pull ahead is a good idea. However, if you are ahead in the pip count your strategy should be to do everything you can to break contact so that you can win the straight race to the finish.

In order to do this you need to practice up on your methods and shortcuts of pip counting so that you will be able to easily tell if you are ahead and by how much.

ellyssian · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 18

Building primes isn’t a bad strategy but there are other things you can try that may work just as well for you, if not better. Have you tried working on your backgame (building anchors in you opponent’s home board)?

This is just one strategy. I would recommend reading books such as Magriel’s Backgammon for more advice on strategy. Good luck to you!