What is making a point?

Maddox · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 25

I am very new to the game of backgammon and have been trying to learn by doing research online and reading backgammon FAQs and rules and things but there is still a lot of stuff that I don’t understand. I especially don’t understand what it means to make points—does this have to do with scoring or what? Please explain!

teklanika · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 6

Making a point has nothing to do with scoring, although it sounds like it might.

A “made point” is actually a point with two of your checkers on it. When you “make a point” you put two checkers on a point. A made point cannot be touched by your opponent.—your opponent my not land on it and may not send these checkers to the bar. Made points are used frequently in strategy.

Made points in your opponent’s home board are called “anchors” and are a really great way to hinder your opponent’s game.

Rows of made points next to each other are called “blockades” and these can be used to trap your opponent.

A row of six made points is called a “backgammon prime” and will trap your opponent completely because if he rolls any number he won’t be able to move because one of your six points will be blocking him. These are all good methods to try in order to improve your game and strategy.

If you have any more questions about backgammon terminology there are a lot of great backgammon glossaries online:

http://www.bkgm.com/glossary.html