Backgammon Points
A backgammon board is divided into four quadrants, each containing six long triangles known as points. Each player has fifteen checkers that are placed on the backgammon board on these points. The points are numbered for each player, starting in the player’s home board, from one until twenty-four. The player’s number one is therefore the opponent’s number twenty-four.
Good backgammon players know that getting to the right points at the right time during the game can give them a considerable edge over their opponent. In fact, one of the best strategies recommended by professionals is to make a beeline for the best points on the board right at the beginning of the game. A typical backgammon game begins with each player placing his checkers on specific points on the board. Each player thus has two checkers on each point 24, 5 on each point 13, 5 on each point 6 and 3 on each point 18. As can be seen, the checkers all start out at central points across the board and the player thereafter aims to spread the checkers to more strategic points on the board.
The opening rolls of a backgammon game are extremely important because the players aim to get their checkers to strategic points as fast as possible. A player who manages to reach these points definitely gains an edge in the game. Experts agree that the best strategic point on the backgammon board is the five-point. Players should aim to reach this point as early on in the game as possible. Remember, too, that it should, ideally, be reached with two checkers to create a closed point and avoid being hit.
Creating a closed five-point position gives players a huge advantage over their opponent. You can successfully block the opponent from advancing from the one-point should he throw a four. Even a throw of five will prevent him from moving forward because of the checkers on the six-point. It is suggested that if players need to choose between creating a five-point position or any other position on the board, they should choose the former simply because of the importance of occupying the five-point position.
While players are trying to reach their five-point, they should also do all that they can to prevent the opponent from doing the same by reaching his five-point first. This means that players can create an anchor in the opponent’s home board, which is also a good strategic move.
While it is understood that the five-point is the best to reach first, there are also other points – albeit less strategically important than the five – that players should aim to reach. The four-point and the seven-point are equal in value and are excellent points to reach. The eight-point and the three-point, equal in value, are less important but nevertheless strategically significant. Finally, the nine-point and, thereafter, the two-point are also key points.
