It's Hitting Time! When to Hit in Backgammon
Hitting backgammon checkers is a move that can be used to your advantage in a backgammon game. The question is when is a good time to hit an enemy checker? Here are some things that can help you decide when to hit during a backgammon game.
It's always a great time to hit a blot especially if it's on your opponent's side of the backgammon board. Hitting your opponent's blot on the backgammon board puts you ahead in the pip count. Now, when you hit blots on your opponent's side you really make a lot of damage since it goes back at least 12 points.
When given a choice between building a home board point and hitting a blot on your opponent's side of the backgammon board, it is better to hit the blot. This would give you a chance to slot a point on your opponent's home board and try an advance anchor.
It's going to be to your advantage to do this since your opponent will have to use one of the results of his next roll to enter that backgammon checker. This also gives you a good chance to build very important points on your opponent's side the backgammon board.
Take note of a couple of important points on the backgammon board that you should to fight for. The five-point and the four-point on both sides of the backgammon board are really crucial. From these two points either you or your opponent can cause a lot of damage in the long run.
From the five- or four-point on your opponent's side of the backgammon board (i.e. your 20- and 21-point), you can hit backgammon checkers crossing over to your opponent's side. If you can do that if you control these points, imagine how much a pain that would be if your opponent gets to do it to you.
So when your opponent slots these points (i.e. the four-point, five-point, 20-point, and 21-point) make a strong effort to hit and control these points. It's really a good time to seriously hit checkers at this point.
Another great time to hit your opponent's blots is when you can hit two checkers in a single turn. If you can send two of your opponent's backgammon checkers to the bar that gives you some leeway. You can move your backgammon checkers freely while your opponent is busy entering checkers.
Be advised that it is quite all right to hit even during the opening rolls during the opening plays in backgammon. This is because it is quite early in the game so you can catch up easily. But by the end of the game, it is advised not to hit that much since that would really put you far behind in the pip-count.
Hitting can be used to your advantage. Remember these tips to help you decide when is the best time to hit checkers in backgammon.
