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Defending vs. a 1/3 backgame

Posted By: Stick
Date: Wednesday, 1 May 2013, at 9:49 p.m.

In Response To: Defending vs. a 1/3 backgame (John O'Hagan)

There are many key features we need to digest before we can decide how to play against a backgame. Here are a couple I think are pertinent to this problem.

  • Timing.
  • Opp's board strength.
  • Your own prime.

I think timing is the big trump card here. After noting the opponent is in a 24/22 and behind only ~50 pips after the roll we should be hesitant to make any plays that give him more timing overall unless that is going to somehow allow us to crack his position easier or bank us significantly more gammons. I threw the hitting plays into the recycle bin fairly quickly since it doesn't help me much make a 6 prime that I would be able to keep for any amount of time and it could definitely aid my opponent's timing.

After that I took into account my opponent's board strength. This is often important because when your opponent is in a backgame typically his forward position isn't developed anywhere near enough to hurt you even if you are hit. This allows you to make plays that leave a couple blots or lots of shots to disengage the position or improve your flexibility because getting hit is not bad for you. The five point is made here and his points are slotted in the right order but he's double blotted. Being double blotted here is somewhat of a mirage since so many numbers hit and cover at least one blot. On top of that, it likely ruins his timing even more if he tries to go forward from here. The chances of that working are very slim with 4 men behind our solid 5 prime yet to escape.

What I want to do so far is not give him any additional timing and disengage my back checkers. I also don't want any loose blots hanging around in case I do get caught on the bar for a couple of turns. If I leave them lying then there is a higher chance that in freak sequences I am unable to get my footing because a second checker gets picked up. The only play that meets the criteria I've outlined is 18/13 10/8.

Stick

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