Summary of Tips

Here is a summary of types of moves that can help you during your checker play:

• Hit-hop -- hitting an opponent's blot is usually a good thing. If you can hit a blot and then continue moving your checker to safety (esepcially as a builder), that's normally a good move.
• "Protect me" -- if you must leave a blot, protect your guy by leaving him within 6 pips from a point you have made. Thus, if your opponent hits you (and leaves a blot there), you have a hit back chance.
• Hit 2 men -- hitting 2 of your opponent's blots is normally a great thing. It handcuffs your opponent because they have to use their 2 dies just to get off the bar (unless they roll doubles).

Backgammon Power Ratings

A while back, we corresponded with some friends and backgammon contacts around the world to put together a "Power Rating" list of the best backgammon players. We're going to re-visit that project and would love your input. Please add comments below and give us your input.

Sources of ratings and rankings from various websites, backgammon "giants," and locations would be very helpful. We'll then try to mesh the data in a quantitative and sensible manner to see where everyone fits in. Fun stuff!