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More backgammon tips for beginners

Last updated on December 7, 2024

In this Deluxe Backgammon post, we introduce more backgammon tips for beginners. These will help to improve your gameplay and your enjoyment of the game.

Points

In the early stages of the game, rolled dice that have a difference of 2, are usually used for securing points in the home board. For example, a roll of 1-3 is used to secure the 5-point and so on.

The 7-point or bar-point in your outer board is a point of strategic significance. It blocks opposing checkers on your 1-point, preventing them from escaping with a roll of 6. The bar point is important, but securing points 4 and 5 has a higher priority because they are home board points.

The 5 points.
The 5 points.

It is recommended to either move your back checkers quickly out of the opponent’s home board or to secure an advanced anchor. Ideally, the anchor should be on your opponent’s 5-point.

Blots

Try not to secure too many points without extra checkers, since it may force you to leave blots later in the game. However, too many checkers on a single point creates a ‘candlestick’ which limits flexibility. A good rule of thumb is a maximum of four checkers on any constructed point.

Ideally, blots should be left in your opponent’s home or outer boards rather than on your side of the board. This is because if they are hit, blots in your opponent’s side lose less ground in the race.

Be wary of leaving blots when your opponent’s home board is significantly blocked with secure points. This is because re-entering from the bar is more difficult when the home board is occupied by secure points.

If your opponent leaves a blot and you roll the exact numbers to hit and secure the point, you should attack and establish the point. This achieves two outcomes. First, it hits the opponent’s checker sending it to the bar which pushes them back in the race. If you are lucky they may fail to re-enter and forfeit a turn. Second, you have secured a valuable point, which is a safe landing zone for your own checkers as well as a block for your opponent’s checkers. Both outcomes are positive.

Strategy

If your opponent is significantly ahead in the pip count, you may find it useful to deliberately fall further behind. Often, in this situation, you can improve your position by letting your opponent hit you by leaving a blot. This will often strengthen your back game, giving you the opportunity to hit back at your opponent. However, this should only be attempted when your opponent has a weak home board structure.

If your opponent has checkers in your home board, avoid leaving an odd number of checkers on high points when you start to bear off. This is to avoid being forced to leave a blot when you roll high doubles (6-6 or 5-5).

Double 6. 6-6.
Double six.

Your opponent’s 5-point (your 20-point) is your best defensive point. If you have the opportunity to secure the point early in the game, it is almost certainly the best move. It gives you a secure landing space if hit and also prevents your opponent from building an effective prime.

Summary

Apply these tips to your gameplay and your backgammon will certainly improve. Bookmark the Deluxe Backgammon website and return regularly to see more backgammon tips for beginners.

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One Comment

  1. Jon Jon

    New to backgammon, pip counts and flexibility are two brand new concepts for me. Thanks for the tips!

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