Primary Issues in a Prime vs. Prime Game

A prime vs. prime game is an interesting game to watch. What it is and how a prime vs. prime works or falls will be discussed. We will take a look at 2 items we need to check when dealing with a prime vs. prime game.

The priming game is based on the idea that blocks or blocking points serve as areas of safety for other pieces and as barricades for opposing checkers. When a series of blocking points are lined up consecutively in a row this is called a prime. Primes are effective blockades and are fundamental to a backgammon game.

In a prime vs. prime game, both players would have set up their own primes of whatever length. The prime, for it to be effective, should be at least 4 points long (the toughest would be 6 points long - a length which is impossible to penetrate or jump over). When both players have a good prime set up, the game starts to become interesting.

In a prime vs. prime situation both players would want to retain their primes as long as they can. The question is when do they come to a point when a player should or is forced to break his prime? Let's take a look at a couple of issues that need to be considered.

In a prime vs. prime situation the player who has the longer or perhaps bigger prime (meaning more men on the prime) the better off he is. The real question in a prime vs. prime situation is who gets to give up his prime first. To answer that, the first thing that must be considered is the number of men/checkers on the prime - not so much the length of the prime.

The recommended ideal length of a prime is 6 points long. But a four or five point prime should do the trick just fine. But the length is not the only issue if you want to sustain that prime. The position of your other pieces, the distribution of the checkers on the prime, and the number of checkers on the prime should all be checked. If your prime is less dense and shorter, you have a problem coming at you.

The back men (or runners) are the checkers that are usually trapped in a prime vs. prime situation. The ideal position of these guys should be as close to the opposing prime as possible. Placing them right next to one end of the prime is recommended.

The reason behind this is to minimize the total distance the back men have to jump over just to escape the prime. The back men ought to escape as soon as the opportunity comes.

A prime vs. prime game is an interesting game. The more patient you are the better off you'll be. A prime vs. prime situation would demand that a player would have a bigger prime and that his back men are better positioned.