Priming Backgammon
From the beginning of the game, players should be considering how they could block the opponent from moving across the board. One way to do this is to build blocking points over the board. "Backgammon priming", as this manuver is sometimes called, prevents your opponent from letting his back checkers escape.
Priming occurs when both sides have four or five prime blocks. Behind these primes there will naturally be several checkers blocked. . There are several things to consider when prepearing your priming game.
How Big is the Prime??
One of the most important elements of the backgammon game is the length of the prime. 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. Back checkers should be close to the edge of the prime. Even if it exposses you to a blot, try and position the back checkers beyond the prime. 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.
The 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 The 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.
Resigning?
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 a lot of open blots, and you'r in risk of 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.
Ready for Change?
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.
The Backgammon Anchor