Even I do it.

I always try to escape my runners first and  AFTER that concentrate on blocking my opponent.

But maybe there is a better strategy to play, one the experts suggest could lead to wins.

Why not revent the opponent from escaping with high numbers such as 6?

Perhaps at the expense of exposing blots.

This can be an effective strategy, since  most players first think about escaping and only then consider all other needs.

Once you prevent the opponent from escaping, he runs into a problem and changes his or her playing  strategy. You know, throwing them off their game.

Then you can start searching for an escape path from the opponent’s home board, even if it means exposing your runners.

The opponent will look to hit your checkers at any price, even at a liability to himself. The stress of being blocked will lead the opponent to make numerous mistakes.

What if you are trying to block the opponent at the expense of leaving distant blots, which are still hit.

The game is not lost.

If you have been hit more than twice, create two anchors on the opponent’s home board, even if it means creating shots for the opponent.

Sooner or later, I’m thinking, the opponent will leave blots, which will raise your chances of hitting his checkers and returning them to your home board, which by now should be strong.

Get it? I know it is a bit unusual. And it might even feel uncomfortable. But give it a try. Test run it.

And you just might be surprised by the results.

Your good thoughts meant a whole lot to me.

Now, to our continuing series on backgammon variants: Tapa.

The meaning of the word “tapa” is “bottle cap” and it’s a good name because one player is looking to block out the other opponent’s pieces.

The movement of the checkers and the objective of “tapa” are same as backgammon, except for one key difference: a blot (single checker) is not taken out when its hit but rather the opponent’s checker rest on top of the blot and by doing that forms a point.

A player can also form points in the usual way by placing two or more of his own checkers in the same slot.

If a player leaves a blot in one of his home slots and gets it covered, the players certainly loses a backgammon (unless the opponent has done the same, in this case it’s a tie).

A long doublet (5 and 5 or 6 and 6) in the first stages of “tapa” can prove very useful because the opponent might have some blots in his home slots and the player might be able to cover them.

The closer this happens to the opponent’s home slots the better, because the later the player will free the blot as he’s bearing off.

There is a lot of strategy involved here. Experts suggest you move slower rather than faster.

Primes are not always useful for example when the opponent has enough room for short moves behind the prime.

If neither of the players gets caught early in the game. Both of them try to move their checkers in almost prime formations. This will create a dramatic situation when the opponents try pass through each other.

Where is Tapa popular? Bulgaria.

If the same number appears on both dice, for example, 2-2 or 3-3 (known as doublets), the caster is entitled to four moves instead of two.

Thus, if he rolls 3-3, he can move up to four men, but each move must consist of three spaces.

The players throw and play alternately throughout the game, except in the case where a player cannot make a legal move and therefore forfeits his turn.

This means you can keep him busy with re-entering them.

Still this is not sufficient if do not start blocking the points on your home board.

OK. Get it?

This would pay off big time if your counterpart is kept with checkers on the bar until you start bearing off. This is then your game. 



It is a risky tactic.

Be forewarned. You might be blocked to make anchors in your home area, and the course of the game may go against you.

Also you may check if it is wise to risk being hit.

Warning: If your opponent has many anchors in his home area, blitz game strategy is not a wise thing to do.

Another hint: When playing online for real money you should know when to double. 



Blitz strategy can be bring a lot of cash to your pockets. Or, it can break your bank.

Huh?

Duh?

What the hell is that?

So they told me. And asked me to join in.

And damn. It was fun.

Chouette is a variation of traditional backgammon that involves three or more players.

It utilizes the same basic rules of backgammon but with certain variations designed to allow multiple players.

Chouette style backgammon pits one player, known as the Box, against a team of other players, led by the Captain.

To start the game, all players throw one dice.

The player who throws the highest roll will play as the Box.

The second highest roll will be the Captain and the rest of the players are decided based on their rolls in descending order.

If two players roll the same number, each player rolls their die again until the proper order is decided. Between games, new players can join in with the acceptance of those already at the board. The newest player is always moved to the bottom of the order though.

The game begins with the Box facing the Captain and the Team.

Hell, this is cool, I thought. I was on the team.

Each player on the team is assigned one cube, so there are multiple doubling cubes in each game.

The Box can thus use the doubling cube against any of his opposition to make them drop or take. When the Box decides to double, each player on the team must make their decision, but in descending order, starting with the captain.

Because there is only one Box and there are multiple opponents, doubling cubes can all have different values throughout the game.

If the Box is doubled and he decides to drop or if a team member drops, the game continues until a winner is declared, regardless of who is dropped from the game. The losing players must wait patiently and refrain from discussing the game or interfering until the game is over.

The Captain is given leave to discuss with any team members how to move the checkers, though the doubling cube is to be handled only by the player associated with each cube.

The Captain is given all control over the movement of the checkers on the board. While the rest of the teams offers advice and their input, only the captain may move the checkers on the board.

He is also the only player to roll the dice and team mates are required to double before the dice are rolled. If the Captain rolls before all cubes are on the table, the roll does not count and must be re-rolled.

The Box remains in the box until he loses and then is placed at the bottom of the order on the team.

He plays for points against all players on the opposition and is only replaced by the Captain of the opposite team after he has lost. Everyone then moves up one rank, with the second highest ranking player on the team becoming the captain.

When the Captain and the team lose a game, the Captain is moved to the bottom of the order as well. Every game, there is a new Captain for the team. If the Captain drops their cube at some point during the game, they are replaced by the next highest ranking player.

The score should be kept by an impartial observer or by a team member who is lower in rank. It should be made viewable to all players and should be reviewed by all players between each game. Players should record the points from dropped cubes as they happen to avoid confusion or miscalculations as the game progresses.

I lost the first few times I played because I didn’t really “get” it.

But now I do.

What do you think?

Give it a try. Let me know if you think it sucks. Or not.