When I was a child, the first subject in school that I “dropped” was geography. I later regretted this rash decision and, as an adult penance, read about economic geography, how trading and location work together. The backgammon board has some geographic trades too.

White opens with 35s and makes her 3pt in the home board. Then Black replies with 53s and makes the 3pt in his home board.

White rolls 24s and makes her 4pt in the home board. Then Black tosses a matching 42s and makes the 4pt in his home board.

White rolls 34s and hits the black blot with the combo sevens.

On the bar, Black rolls another 42s and will enter on his 23pt. See below. Where should Black play the required four? Deuce point, 9pt, or 20pt?

Slotting the 2pt or blotting the 9pt both leave only a single blot. The deuce point is safer, leaving the minimum direct of eleven shots. The 9pt offers the eleven aces plus three combos totaling fourteen shots. The 2pt slot has no direct home spares to cover and only a loose hit with an ace if missed. The 9pt blot has a direct midpoint spare to cover. Clearly, the riskier 9pt blot is better, far more upside of coverage and attack for the extra three vulnerable shots.

What about starting the 20pt by splitting the anchor? That play creates three blots in White’s equally strong home board, which should cause Black to shiver. And yet, Black’s home board is strong and Black’s side of the backgammon board has no weaknesses. The black blots and their peril are isolated to one geographic locale on White’s side of the backgammon board. Sure, the black blots could be attacked but, if so, Black’s home board is still a solid asset. And White doesn’t have a distracting attack elsewhere. Black preserves his returns, both from the bar and among the blots. Should White hit loose in her home board, Black may enter to anchor or to hit or both. The three runners are in close communication and can work as a team.

The geographic idea: confine blot problems to one location. The three black blots together are a squad of runners, trained and confident to fight as a team. Despite the valuable initiative, the three white blots are mostly on their own.