Learn Backgammon - Make a New Point
BlogMake a New Point
The first task of checker play is, “Can I make a new point?” For those of
you who are absolutely new to the game, a point is formed by putting two
of your checkers on the same triangle. Interestingly, the space occupied by
that triangle is also called a point, but that’s beside the point. There are many reasons to make points and I’ll go over a few of them now.
1. If you make a point in your home board it can block your opponent’s forward progress. Additionally, a home-board point can prohibit the entry of an enemy checker from the bar.
Position 1 – Black has played 42: 8/4, 6/4
2. Points outside your home board can block your opponent’s forward progress, but can’t keep them from entering from the bar
Position 2 – Black has played 61: 13/7, 8/7
3. If you assemble enough points in a row you can severely restrict your opponent’s forward progress; and if you build a wall or “prime” of six points in a row, they can’t escape at all until later in the game when you elect or are forced, to disassemble that prime.
Position 3 – Black has a “prime”
4. Points can also be used as landing spots for you to safely move your checkers from one quadrant of the board to another.
Position 4 – Black on roll to play 64
5. Finally, points made in your opponent’s home board are “anchors”: defensive bastions that impede your opponent as they try to come home. These anchors can also serve as landing spots for bringing checkers back into battle.
Position 5 – Black on roll to play 54
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