Hitting Strategies in Backgammon

There are several important Backgammon rules that govern how the dice must be handled in a Backgammon game. The dice play a very important role in the game, and violating the structured rules about how to handle them can even void plays that have already been made.

Hitting occurs in Backgammon when one player knocks another player’s checker off of the board. All checkers that stand alone on a point are potential victims. Points that are occupied by only one checker are called “blots.” When a checker caught on a blot gets hit by an opponent, the checker gets knocked to the bar of the board. A player with a hit checker must stop all other Backgammon game processes in order to re-enter this checker to the board.

Because of the risks involved in leaving one checker alone, avoid this Backgammon situation if your opponent is in hitting range. A checker on a blot is an irresistible target, and your opponent will make any move to hit you. Remember that once a checker is hit, your whole game is paused as you try to re-enter the checker to the board. While you’re stuck, your opponent can move freely and advance.

According to Backgammon rules, you are permitted to “hit and run.” This occurs in Backgammon when you hit an opponent’s checker, and then, rather than remain on a blot, you direct your checker to a safe point. To do this, use both rolls to move your attacking checker, hitting with the first, and “running” with the second.

Try these hitting tactics the next time you play Backgammon.