Backgammon Strategy: Getting Specific on Your Bars, Bearing Off, and Blots

There are backgammon rules that you need to understand, specifically on moving your backgammon men. For example, you need to understand the hitting and entering process of backgammon. You also need to understand some terminologies if you wish to play the game right.

The Bar and the Blot

Any point in the backgammon board may be occupied by a checker. If this happens, that specific point is called a blot. If the opposing backgammon checker lands on this point, this checker is gong to be placed on the bar. Now here is the catch. If a player has a backgammon checker placed in this area, the bar, he cannot move his other checkers unless these checkers in the bar are moved to the opponent’s home board. If the dice gave you a number in which you are obliged to move your checkers in a location that is not empty, you lose a turn. What you need to do is to avoid getting into blots as much as you can to avoid getting your checkers into bars.

Bearing Off the Checkers

Now, let us say that you have moved all of your backgammon men on your side of the backgammon board. Your next goal is to bear them off. If you can successfully bear off all 15 men before your opponent can bear off even just one of his pawns, then you win what is called backgammon. If you bear off all of your men after the opponent has borne off one of his pawns, you only win a gammon.

The Doubling and the Stake

At each point of the game, there is a stake. If the player thinks he is of advantage. He can propose to double the stakes of the game. This is also something he can do before the game starts. Players of any side have the right to refuse an offer to double the stake. Do not accept an offer if you are aware that your position is easily compromised.