Backgammon Test - Question & Answer

Backgammon Test - Question & Answers

Question 4:

In that position Red has rolled a "double 2". Blue is obviously going to win the game, the only question remaining is whether it will be for a gammon or not.

Since Red's roll of double 2 fails to take a checker off, Red wants to maximize his bear-off chances for his next roll, assuming that Blue does not roll doubles on his next turn. What is Red's best play?

Answer

If Red used the entire roll with the man on the twelve-point, he would be unable to bearoff a checker with a subsequent roll of 5+2.

Slightly better would be for Red to bring the man on the 12 point down to his six-point, and then use his remaining 2 to drop a checker from his four-point to two-point. This would leave the bad roll... double 5's.

However, if Red brings the checker on his twelve-point down to only his eight-point, and moves a checker from his six-point to his two-point, he is now assured of bearing off a man with any roll of the dice!

From Ed's Backgammon Problems

Backgammon Test - Question & Answers Question 4:

Answer 4:

Backgammon Test - Question & Answers

Question 4: