Do I Have to Hit the Opponent?

Fiona · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 16

I have a question about hitting my opponent’s checkers. Recently I played a game of backgammon against a friend and we were in the stage where we were bringing our checkers onto home base. One roll brought me into home while the other made me hit the opponent. So what I’d really like to know is whether I can decline to remove the opponent from if it is advantageous to me. In backgammon rules, is there anywhere it states that I don’t have to remove an opponent’s checker if I land on him?

Gin · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 22

Hi there. Backgammon rules are very clear about this one. Two points cannot be occupied by the same color at the same time. If you move your checker to a point that is occupied by your opponent’s checker, the blot HAS to move to the bar and you HAVE to occupy that point.

By the way, this rule is also applicable to a ‘hit and pass’ type move. For example, if you throw a five and a two and you decide to move one checker five times and then a further two times. If you hit the opponent’s checker on the fifth time, even if you intend carrying on a further two points, the opponent has to remove his checker and place it on the bar.

Remember: If you have another way of playing the numbers rolled, you obviously don’t have to remove the blot. You could, for example, switch your moves around so that you move the two first and then the five – in this way, you’ll be avoiding the opponent’s checker.