Backgammon 101: The End Game

When all is said and done, after all the great strategies you pull off from start to the mid-game, everything just boils down to the end game. Well, backgammon is indeed a race after all. Though not all backgammon games reach the bear off stage (though a lot of games really end in one player or the other passing on the offer to double), it is still necessary to understand the end game and the bear off stage.

There is very little skill required when we play the end game in backgammon. The main idea is simply to get all your men into your own inner table and bear off every single one of them using as few rolls as possible (less rolls and moves than your opponent is preferred).

Just remember that the end game requires less skill, but it doesn't technically mean you rely on the mercy of the dice alone. There are still principles and plays every backgammon player should adhere to when it comes to the end game. But like every part of a game of backgammon, to really smoothen out your moves during the end game requires some practice and experience.

One very clear indication that you and your opponent have entered into the end game is when your checkers and your opponent's checkers have zero contact. This means that there is no longer any chance to block or hit your opponent's men.

At this stage of a backgammon game, the whole thing turns into a big race. When you enter this part of the game, there are fewer precautions you need to take since there is no longer any threat from any opposing checker. You don't have to worry about your blots, what matters in this stage of backgammon are to move your pieces faster than the other fellow.

Here are a couple of principles you might like to keep in mind when you're at closing moves of backgammon. First is that you can quit worrying a lot about keeping an even distribution, it does help a bit, but don't fuss about it so much. Just move all your checkers into the home board and that's it.

The reason behind this is that you can bear off a checker if it is at least on the six-point. Make it your first priority to haul all your checkers home rather than arranging them neatly on the inner table.

Second is to avoid wastage during the bear off. The rule here is that if a roll allows you to bear off a checker then do it. If not, then move a checker to a position where you can bear it off even with small rolls. Never waste a single roll during the bear off.

These are simple principles to live by during the end game and the bear off. Take some time to practice them and you'll find your game improving.