WHEN YOU ARE BEHIND IN BACKGAMMON

If you find that you are falling behind in the game, you may start feeling discouraged if you have not undergone any neutral training or mental strength building. Hence, in this article we want to discuss some generic strategies, which will guide you when you are at a loss.

First of all let’s say that when you are trailing you need a bold play, with nothing to lose never a defensive game.

Anchors are your lifelines. So, it’s best not to leave them unless you are compelled to do so. For example, if you don’t have any other shots or options then only think of leaving the anchors as a last resort. The same logic holds for any holding point also. A holding point of yours means that you have placed at least 2 checkers on that point.

If you are significantly trailing, never try to move your back checkers. It’s better if you concentrate in bringing your checkers, which are already at forward positions. This will help you in minimizing the point difference, even if you loose.

Start arranging your home board. Bring them back as fast as possible and start organizing your home board properly.

If you are trailing much, don’t be worried of being hit, because at times “being hit” may improve your timing. Experts advise that you should not be worried of leaving shots at a stage when you are way behind.

When you are sure of defeat, try to focus at the opponent’s checkers first. This will save you from backgammon. If you have been able to bring back all the checkers to your home board then start bearing off at least one. This will save you from gammon. Remember that the stake becomes double and redouble in case of gammon and backgammon respectively. In case of gammon and backgammon situation the 6th point plays an important role to save your worst defeats. Place a checker on the 6th point to get the advantage of bearing off.

We further suggest if the progression of the game signals you for a gammon or backgammon, start planning for bearing off at least a few checkers. But again note that you cannot start bearing off, until and unless all your checkers are brought back to your home board. So, start winding up even if you can assume a 0.5 probability of gammon.

Never lose focus. Make a move, which should have more than one alternative. Suppose you are moving the checker to a point, where the next move may be blocked by a prime, then choose another point, which has got at least some open space in the forward direction.

In a situation of 3 games match, if you have already lost the first game, then in the 2nd one, never hesitate to ensure a double or accepting a double. Try to own the doubling cube. Double or redouble at this stage will never harm you; rather, it will benefit you immensely, if you can win. After all, loosing a match by 0-3 and 1-3 doesn’t create any difference.

Remember the fundamental philosophy, the faster you play, the better you play while hesitation only reveals your weakness to your opponent.