Backgammon: considerations when hitting

Last updated on September 6, 2024

In this Deluxe Backgammon post for beginners, we take a look at the various considerations that need to be made when hitting in backgammon. When a chance to hit on your opponent’s side of the board occurs at the beginning of a game, the decision is usually straightforward. It establishes a commanding position in the race, moves your back checkers forward and takes away at least half of your opponent’s next roll. These factors are so significant that the hit is generally the right choice. Even if it was wrong, the mistake rarely has serious consequences.

However, hitting on your own side of the board is more complicated. Just hitting is not enough of a justification. Here are some other questions you need to ask:

• Is the hit on a key point? The 5-point, the 4-point, and the bar-point are key points that both players want to gain control of quickly. If your opponent makes one of these points, they can anchor and be safe from being primed. If you secure these points, you will be able to trap your opponent’s back checkers.
• Are you unstacking when you hit? Hitting and unstacking an overcrowded point is beneficial, as it brings your checkers into play. Hitting by breaking a secure point that has already been formed is much weaker.
• Do you already have a good anchor? Hitting after you have made a secure anchor on your opponent’s side of the board is not particularly risky. If your opponent strikes back, the situation will still be manageable. On the other hand, hitting without a secure anchor is more dangerous. If your opponent hits back, then the consequences could be severe, as you might be blocked from re-entry.

Additional considerations

While it is generally true that hitting is the correct decision, doing so may be wrong in certain circumstances. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each move in detail. At the start of this post, three main factors for hitting were listed. Here are some other considerations to bear in mind when making a hitting in backgammon:

• How much ground is gained in the race by hitting? The more pips gained, the better. Therefore, hits on the far side of the board are more likely to be clearly justified than hits on the near side of the board.
• Does hitting cost me a secure point? Hitting with a spare checker is much more likely to be the correct move than a hit that breaks a secure point. leaving a blot. Choosing to hit with a spare checker from a large stack of checkers is even more likely to be the correct decision. It has the added benefits of improving distribution and increasing flexibility.
• How strong is my home board? The more secure points you have in your home board, the more likely any hit is to be correct. This is because a strong home board makes it difficult for your opponent to re-enter from the bar.
• Am I vulnerable after the hit? The biggest hitting errors occur when the hit leaves you with a string of vulnerable blots scattered around the board. If your opponent has a good chance of re-entering and hitting, it is generally not wise to take the chance.
• Do I have a good alternative? As always, consider the alternative plays. If you can secure a key point in your home board early in the game, it may be a stronger alternative than hitting. This is particularly the case if you can secure the 5-point. In general, permanent assets, such as a secure point, are better than hitting and leaving a blot early in the game. Loose hitting often evaporates into no advantage at all, whereas a secure point is a bonus for the foreseeable future.

Summary

Keep all of these factors in mind. In general, hitting is an attacking play that has a positive outcome. However, sometimes another option proves to be the better alternative at the time. The best action is to weigh up all of your options and consider the likely outcome of each play. Select the option that most closely aligns with the strategy in play.

Related content

Backgammon at Encyclopaedia Britannica.