Don’t play loose in your inner board

Backgammon is a race. You’re trying to get all of your checkers into your homeboard (and then out of it) before your opponent can. It’s bad for the race for your checkers to get hit. It’s the worst thing for the race for your checker to be hit in your own homeboard.

In the position above, you rolled an opening 52. You played 13/8 with your 5, and unstacked your 6-pt with your 2 by playing 6/4. This checker on the 4-pt has been played loose. If the blot on the 4-pt is hit, it will cost you 20 pips in the race (not to mention half your move next roll). 

Obviously, if Gary’s white checkers were behind you, there would be little risk to this play.

Note that there are times (many times, in fact) where playing loose in your homeboard is not only appropriate, but the best move by far. We will certainly discuss those types of positions. But as a baseline, if you are forced to leave a blot, avoid doing it in your homeboard in front of your opponent’s checkers.

Next lesson: Points win prizes