Study, Learn, Observe, Think

Slot.  SLOT.  SLOT!!  (did you spot that subtle acronym?)

If 13/11, 6/5 wasn’t your immediate response to this position, then welcome to a whole new aspect of backgammon - slotting (or putting a blot on a valuable point in the hope of making that point quickly). Last week’s problem also involved slotting, and there’ll be more to come.

The upside of slotting is clear - but so is the risk. So when is it right to slot? That’s a subject for a whole book (or at least a chapter), but some basics include:

• Urgency. If you don’t have the luxury of time, and your opponent is threatening to escape their last checker, consider slotting to build your board quickly

• If it helps you unstack a point, then slotting is often right

• If you want to ‘mix things up’ - to increase contact and complicate things so your opponent doesn’t march into a clear lead and/or a solid structure, then slotting is a way to do that

• Slotting works best in the early game, before your opponent has had the chance to strengthen their home board

• Be cautious about slotting when you’ve also split your back checkers, or where you’d be facing a double shot. It gives your opponent too many good return shots.