Backgammon Fun: Moving the Checkers

Backgammon is so much fun, and it's pretty easy to start, but challenging to master. Moving the checkers is the best part of the rules as it is tricky, one can be happy with throwing a high number but truth is, it's much more than luck and numbers: it's a brain trip, and logic is the ticket.

The numbers at the cast of the dice represent separate moves. At this point, the backgammon rules state that a checker may land on a point or a "pip" that is occupied by their own checker or is free, this is otherwise known as a legal point or pip. So, if the dice show a four and a five, the player must analyze the board to determine how to move the checkers with this combination.

With a four and five dice roll, one may move a single checker or two checkers. A single checker may be moved nine pips (which is the sum of the four and five dice face), provided that from its original place, the fourth and the ninth are legal; or the fifth and the ninth are legal. Two checkers on the other hand may be moved like so, one is moved to the fourth legal pip from its original position and another is moved to the fifth legal pip from its original place.

A double upon the cast of the dice, means that the number that's face up (same number on each die) may be counted twice. For example, when a two and two is rolled, this will allow a two-two-two-two checker move, as long as every second pip where a checker will land is legal. This means that a single checker or as much as four different checkers on the board may be moved when a double is rolled.

The time when the dice is cast and only a die is initially considered is when your checker is on the bar. This is a checker that was a "blot" and was "hit" by the opponent's checker. A blot is a single checker on a point, and by "hit", it means that it was landed on by an opponent's piece and must be placed on the bar before it may re-enter the board. This checker may only be allowed back on to any of the first six legal points on the opponent's inner board or quadrant, thus making use of one number on any of the dice that was thrown. You cannot move the rest of your checkers when you have one or more at the bar.

When moving the checkers, the number you roll is important. But more important is how you move the checkers on the board with those numbers. Whether a player rolls a double or not, a piece may only be landed on legal points or pips on the board. So, don't be too excited to see a double six on your roll and expect yourself on your home quadrant because you will find yourself stuck when the sixth pip from your checker isn't even legal. Seeing the combination moves with the roll of the dice allows logic to manipulate one's position in backgammon so, be the wiser and beat 'em good!