Playing against a “backgamer”

Commissioner · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 5

I am looking for a little advice about what to do when you end up playing against someone who loves the backgame. I have played against these kind of people in a few matches and I can’t stand it! These people intentionally leave blots around the board and are pretty good at executing backgame strategy.

I had always thought that this strategy was a bit ineffective, but it seems to work when the backgamer is playing against someone who doesn’t see it coming.

Can anyone recommend any counter strategies for playing against backgamers?

LippedCup · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 9

My first piece of advice would be that if you are in control of the doubling cube then wait to double until you see what your opponent’s strategy will be before you double. Some backgamers will try to trick you into doubling because you think they are losing because they are so far behind in the pip count and you won’t notice that they are building up a backgame in your home board.

joliver · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 25

An important thing to know is that backgamers rarely succeed in winning. In fact, they will usually lose by a two point gammon as it will take them longer to reach all their backgame checkers to their home board than it will take for you to bear off. Just protect yourself while bearing off so that your opponent can’t hit any of your checkers.

PipCount · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 16

I used to be king of the backgame, so I can give you a little bit of advice about things us backgamers can’t stand, so you can hinder a backgame if you see that your opponent is working on one.

First of all, don’t let your opponent build two points or more in your home board. If you see that your opponent has a made point and a blot, don’t give them the satisfaction of hitting another blot in order to give them a second made point.

If your opponent already has made points in your homeboard, do everything you can to prevent him from adding spare checkers on top. With spare checkers, he can implement backgame strategy while keeping his backgame intact in your home board.

Sometimes it can be fun to see what your opponent is doing to you and then strike back with the exact same strategy—although it is difficult to develop a solid backgame against a professional backgamer!

Hopefully these tips will help you out next time you play against a vicious backgamer!

Gin · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 22

I think that the best defense against a backgame is to do all you can to build a prime in your home board to prevent it. Hit opposing blots in your home board over and over and over before your opponent has the chance to make the points. You just need to work on your defense and practice. The best way to learn to beat a backgamer is to play against backgamers and work on your defensive strategy!