Classic backgammon · Tactics

Building a stronger prime

A made point blocks one landing spot. Several made points in a row become a prime, which can hold an opposing checker back. The highlighted points show the wall you will build — your 6-point is already made.

5 min · 5 steps

This is the written edition of an interactive Boardgammon lesson — in the app, the coach narrates while you play every move on a live board.

Step 1 · Points work together

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On the board: Prime target

A made point blocks one landing spot. Several made points in a row become a prime, which can hold an opposing checker back. The highlighted points show the wall you will build — your 6-point is already made.

Coach narration

Step 2 · Prime-building roll

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This lesson uses 4-2 because it can make another strong home-board point from the opening position.

Tap roll to reveal 4-2.

The roll: 4-2

Coach narration

Step 3 · Use the 4

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On the board: 4-point

Start the point with the 4. One checker moves from the 8-point to the 4-point.

Use the 4: tap the highlighted checker on the 8-point, then tap Land here on the 4-point.

The roll: 4-2

The move: 8/4

Good. The first checker is on the 4-point.

Common mistake: Use the checker on the 8-point and land on the highlighted 4-point.

Coach narration

Step 4 · Use the 2

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On the board: Cover

Now cover it with the 2. Two checkers on the 4-point make another block in your home board.

Use the 2: tap the highlighted checker on the 6-point, then tap Land here on the 4-point.

The roll: 4-2

The move: 6/4

The 4-point is made. Your home board is harder to enter.

Common mistake: Only the 2 remains. Move from the 6-point to cover the checker on the 4-point.

Coach narration

Step 5 · Why this shape matters

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On the board: Add this next

With the 6-point and 4-point made, you are building a wall near home. Add the 5-point later and it becomes a powerful three-point block.

Coach narration

What you learned

You can now build a new made point and understand how connected points become a prime.

Coach narration