Diversification

Diversification is the opposite of duplication; while in duplication you are trying to minimize the your opponent’s good rolls the next turn, diversification aims at maximising your own good rolls on your next turn. For a deeper explanation of duplication, read our duplication article.

Next, take a good look at the picture below and try to figure out what is the correct play for white after having rolled 5-4, keeping diversification in mind.

When you are ready, read on.

What’s going on

Let’s take a look at the current situation. The race is rather equal despite Black has a checker on the bar. Both players have made some points but clearly we are at a mid game situation here and soon either player will be taking the upper hand. With White rolling 5-4 he is in pretty good situation doing exactly that.

With this roll White has no better way to play the 4 than making his 4-point with 8/4. This makes it significantly more difficult for Black to enter from the bar and he can’t hit any more when entering. What else could White do with the 5?

He could try to prepare making his 18-point next turn by playing 23/18. That, however, wouldn’t be a great move; It would leave a direct shot and Black would have sixes, fours and ones to hit the checker on the 18-point. Probability of that NOT happening are very slim.

The attent reader might’ve noticed that playing 23/18 would be a clever play in terms of duplication. With the sixes, fours and ones Black would have to choose to hit from two checkers each. Nevertheless, it is not the best move in this situation although it sure is an interesting one.

White could also move a man from the mid-point to the 8-point and do it safely, but it wouldn’t be a creative move and little would be accomplished. Playing 20/15 to run a back checker close to the mid-point is another unconstructive move and leaves numerous hitting possibilities for Black.

Using diversification

The best move White can make with the 5 is to play 11/6 - the situation after this move looks as illustrated in in Picture 2.

Picture 2. White has played 11/6 8/4.

Diversification is the key to understanding why this is the best move: once White has three checkers on the 6-point he diversifies his numbers he can use to hit next turn. Before his move had only sixes to hit on his 14-point and 5-point but with an extra guy on the 6-point he’ll greatly diversify his chances of hitting next turn. Also, keep in mind that with the 4-point also secured, if Black enters from the bar on White’s 1-point White will have also twos and fives to hit - White is clearly taking a strong hold of the game with his move.

The numbers on checkers in Picture 2. show what numbers White has to hit in a constructive manner on his turn if Black enters from the bar on the 1 or 2 point. This clearly shows that Black can pretty much avoid being hit only if he rolls a five on his next turn.

Conclusion

Diversification, just as duplication, is an interesting way of making sure you are in charge. The development of the game is eventually always depending on two dice so you can’t keep on playing by focusing on either diversification or duplication. We don’t say don’t keep it in mind, we say don’t focus on it. With some experience you’ll start recognizing when you can apply diversification and eventually it’ll become a natural part of your game.