Tied backgammon game

Whopper · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

I have been racking my brain trying to think of a situation that would result in a tie in the game of backgammon but can’t think of anything. Is it possible to tie in this game?

Shaker · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 20

I have never actually seen a tie occur in backgammon, but I think that there is one situation in which a tie would be possible. This would be a situation in which each player had a checker on the bar and a prime in their home board, blocking the entire entrance field for the checkers that are on the bar.

Sappertone · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

The reason that you have never seen a tie in backgammon is because it is, indeed, impossible. Theoretically, yes, a game would be tied with opposing checkers both on the bar and primes in both home boards, however this could never legally happen in a game. Once one player is on the bar the only way he may hit another player to the bar is if he has hit a blot upon re-entry. If this is the case, then there could not be a prime in the other player’s home board. Which would not result in a tied game. In order to achieve the desired set-up needed for this game, something illegal would have to occur.

Rail · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 24

I suppose a match could be tied at any given point before the end. For instance, in a five game match, where the winner must have three wins, the match could be tied 2-2 before the final game is played. However, there is absolutely no circumstance under which a tie could occur in a game of backgammon.