Bear Off in Backgammon
Removing checkers from the board into the bar is called "backgammon bear off". Players can do bear off only when all their checkers are in their home board. The player must remove the checker from the point that corresponds to the number on the die. (If, for example, a the die shows a three, only the checker from the third point on could be removed).
Though some players do feel that since they are reaching the final stages of the game, there is no use placing great importance to the bear off. This stage is so important that many games have changed direction because of the lack of planning of the bear off.
Bearing off a Double?
In the bearing off stage, players should choose to double in a number of circumstances. Because they will most probably bear off on their next throw, they should double if they have two checkers left in points 2 and 3. Also, if the opponent has three at the bear off, while the player has two, the player should double. If the two checkers are on point No.6, it is considered an exception. If the backgammon player has three checkers on the home board with less than 15 pips, he should double.
At times a gap prevent's a player from bearing off. In this case, they should try and fill the highest gap available. A player should not create a new gap in place of the old one and should try to move checkers from populated points. Move vs' Bear Off?
Players can sometimes choose either moving checkers or bearing off. Statistics show that in this case, the best choice would be to bear off the checkers. The logic behind this decision is that if players throw a double six later on in the game, they can save their rolls. Balance the Bear Off
Bearing off is easier to do on a well-balanced home board. There are a few ways to having a balanced backgammon board. Players can make sure that all their points contain the same number of checkers at the bear off stage. The logic for this is that checkers can be removed from the board, no matter what results are rolled. Another way is to arange the checkers on the home board in a way that they are at different points. Players should stack checkers in a pyramid shape that is narrow at point six but is big at point one.
In the bearing off stage, players should choose to double in a number of circumstances. Because they will most probably bear off on their next throw, they should double if they have two checkers left in points 2 and 3. Also, if the opponent has three at the bear off, while the player has two, the player should double. If the two checkers are on point No.6, it is considered an exception. If the backgammon player has three checkers on the home board with less than 15 pips, he should double.
What Strategies to Use when Bearing off
The Bearing Off GapsAt times a gap prevent's a player from bearing off. In this case, they should try and fill the highest gap available. A player should not create a new gap in place of the old one and should try to move checkers from populated points. Move vs' Bear Off?
Players can sometimes choose either moving checkers or bearing off. Statistics show that in this case, the best choice would be to bear off the checkers. The logic behind this decision is that if players throw a double six later on in the game, they can save their rolls. Balance the Bear Off
Bearing off is easier to do on a well-balanced home board. There are a few ways to having a balanced backgammon board. Players can make sure that all their points contain the same number of checkers at the bear off stage. The logic for this is that checkers can be removed from the board, no matter what results are rolled. Another way is to arange the checkers on the home board in a way that they are at different points. Players should stack checkers in a pyramid shape that is narrow at point six but is big at point one.
How to Block Opponents in Backgammon