Rules Question: bearing off
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
Brown is bearing off and has three men on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th points as well as a single man on the 6. White has three men deep on the 1st point.
Brown rolls a 5 + 3. What is Brown allowed to do?
It is my understanding that Brown loses the 5 because he is unable to make the highest move initially.
Let me know what you all think, thanks!
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 92
You must use both numbers if possible. So you have to play 6/3 with the 3 and then bear off a checker from the 4pt with a 5. It's a forced move.
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,954
Correct. Brown must play both moves if he can. Starting with 6/3 is a legal play of the 3, after which he reaches a position where he can play a legal 5. (4/off).
If you can play one move or the other, but not both, you have to play the larger of the two. That rule doesn't apply here but it occasionally comes up.
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,208
6/1 for the 5 works. Then 3 off
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,954
His opponent has three men on his one-point, so he has to play 6/3 and 4/off.
