Bearing Off Rules

Shaker · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 20

I’ll preface this question with the fact that I am quite new to the game of backgammon, so I apologize if the answer is obvious.

Let’s say that I have moved all of my checkers into my home board and have built a prime from points two to six, with two checkers each on 4-5-6 and three checkers on 2-3. My opponent has two checkers on the one-point. I roll 6-4.

If I take a checker off the six point and one off the four point I am in a really bad position as I’ll have two blots open for my opponent to hit me. Do I have to bear checkers off if it is a possibility or can I pass in order to keep my checkers safe?

Maverick · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 15

First of all, this is a question that all newbies to the game deal with pretty early on, so you are right on track.

In this situation you have a great opportunity and it is to bear one checker of your six point and then to move the other checker from your six point to the two point. This way you aren’t leaving any checkers exposed.

The answer to your question is that no you don’t have to bear a checker off just because you roll the number of the point. If you have checkers on higher points, you can always move them down to a lower point.

I hope this helps you out, and don’t ever hesitate to ask questions. We are all constantly going through a learning process in this game.