Main idea
The rule to remember
In a race, preserve usable rolls and reduce pip count without burying checkers too early.
At the board
How it works in a game
Compare the pips saved now with the distribution left for the next roll; a smooth home board often beats one extra immediate bear-off. This is the central decision pattern for “Race without losing tempo”.
Before the move
Quick checklist
- 1Compare pip counts
- 2Keep an even distribution
- 3Protect future doubles