{"id":700,"date":"2024-09-17T12:40:45","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T12:40:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/?p=700"},"modified":"2025-04-01T15:33:50","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T15:33:50","slug":"how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Get Off The Bar in Backgammon?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_71 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #555555;color:#555555\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #555555;color:#555555\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Brief_Introduction_to_Backgammon_Game\" title=\"Brief Introduction to Backgammon Game\">Brief Introduction to Backgammon Game<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#How_Are_You_Taken_Down_or_Sent_Off_To_The_Bar\" title=\"How Are You Taken Down or Sent Off To The Bar?\">How Are You Taken Down or Sent Off To The Bar?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Rolling_The_Dice\" title=\"Rolling The Dice\">Rolling The Dice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Closed_Board\" title=\"Closed Board\">Closed Board<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Strategies_To_Get_Off_The_Bar\" title=\"Strategies To Get Off The Bar\">Strategies To Get Off The Bar<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Land_On_The_Safe_Side\" title=\"Land On The Safe Side\">Land On The Safe Side<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Look_At_The_Blocking_Opportunities\" title=\"Look At The Blocking Opportunities\">Look At The Blocking Opportunities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Understand_the_Opponents_Home_Board\" title=\"Understand the Opponent\u2019s Home Board\">Understand the Opponent\u2019s Home Board<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#FAQs\" title=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Is_it_double-valid_if_I_have_a_checker_on_the_bar\" title=\"Is it double-valid if I have a checker on the bar?\">Is it double-valid if I have a checker on the bar?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#When_the_checker_has_re-entered_can_I_move_my_other_checkers\" title=\"When the checker has re-entered, can I move my other checkers?\">When the checker has re-entered, can I move my other checkers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Is_there_a_specific_limit_to_the_total_number_of_checkers_on_the_bar\" title=\"Is there a specific limit to the total number of checkers on the bar?\">Is there a specific limit to the total number of checkers on the bar?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/how-to-get-off-the-bar-in-backgammon\/#Which_is_the_highest_point_in_backgammon\" title=\"Which is the highest point in backgammon?\">Which is the highest point in backgammon?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Brief_Introduction_to_Backgammon_Game\"><\/span>Brief Introduction to Backgammon Game<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you haven\u2019t yet heard about Backgammon or played it, you are certainly missing out on a fun little board game. For the uninitiated, Backgammon is a board game comprising twenty-four triangular pillars known as points. Each player gets 15 checkers (generally black &amp; white or white &amp; red). The points indicate spaces where players can move their checkers. The board divides itself into two by its central bar. Whenever a player\u2019s checkers are hit, they are placed in this middle section.<\/p>\n<p>Each player\u2019s objective in Backgammon is to be the first to bear off all fifteen checkers from their starting position. Players take turns in rolling dice and moving checkers accordingly. To begin, each player goes for a single die roll. The player with the higher roll usually goes first; in case of a tie, the player rolls one more time. The doubling cube adds an element of strategy to the game, indicating the opportunity to double the game\u2019s value at one point. However, in this piece, we will focus on unique situations where your checkers get hit or taken down or sent off the bar by the opponent and make a re-entry into the board afterward.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Are_You_Taken_Down_or_Sent_Off_To_The_Bar\"><\/span><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">How Are You Taken Down or Sent Off To The Bar?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A point occupied by a single checker is commonly called a <em>blot<\/em>. When an opposing checker lands on a blot, it is said to be hit and placed on the bar that runs along the board\u2019s center. If the player has one or more checkers on the bar, the only allowable action is to re-enter the same checker(s) back into the opponent\u2019s home board.<\/p>\n<p>The same applies to hitting an opponent\u2019s blot. If your checker lands on the opponent\u2019s blot, the opponent\u2019s checker will be removed from the board and put on the bar. This is called \u201c<strong>hitting<\/strong>\u201d your opponent\u2019s blot. Depending on the rolled dice, you can remove more than one of the opponent\u2019s checkers at a time.<\/p>\n<h1><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Ways To Get Off The Bar in Backgammon<\/span><\/h1>\n<h2><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4664 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/board-game-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"323\" height=\"214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/board-game-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/board-game-1024x678.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/board-game-768x509.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/board-game-1536x1017.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/board-game-2048x1356.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Now comes the fun part. Here, we tell you how to get off the bar in backgammon!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Rolling_The_Dice\"><\/span><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Rolling The Dice<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>During match play, a checker can re-enter the board by rolling the dice and moving it to an open point corresponding to either of the numbers on the rolled dice. For example, if players roll 4-5, they can re-enter a checker onto either the opponent\u2019s four or five points, except when a minimum of two opponent checkers occupy the spot. It is essential to note that the specific number required to re-enter should appear on at least one die. You cannot use the sum of both dice to make a re-entry.<\/p>\n<p>He forfeits his turn if the player fails to find an open point. If a player can enter a few but not all their checkers, they must push for entry of as many checkers as possible and subsequently relinquish the remaining dice rolls. After your final checker has been (re)-entered, you can play any unused numbers on the dice. You can do this by moving either the re-entering checker or any existing checker on the board. This is how to get off the bar in backgammon.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Closed_Board\"><\/span>Closed Board<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>So, how do you get off the bar in backgammon? Well, when your opponent builds a\u00a0six-prime\u00a0in the opposing home board, and you still have a checker on the bar, there isn\u2019t anything you can do as you are \u201c<strong>closed out.<\/strong>\u201d Since no points are available to re-enter, you forfeit your dice roll. The checker remains immovable on the bar until your opponent decides to open one of the points on their home board.<\/p>\n<p>If you have closed out your home board and your opponent still has at least one checker on the bar, it is a solid opportunity to attain momentum and be ready to bear off. There\u2019s a high chance to win by a gammon or backgammon in such a situation. However, you will need to move carefully when trying how do you get off the bar in backgammon as you can still stand to lose from this secure position.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Strategies_To_Get_Off_The_Bar\"><\/span><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Strategies To Get Off The Bar<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-4666 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/backgammon--300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"323\" height=\"215\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/backgammon--300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/backgammon--1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/backgammon--768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/backgammon--1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/backgammon--2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 323px) 100vw, 323px\" \/><\/h2>\n<p><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Here are a few strategies you must keep in mind when it comes to how to get off the bar in backgammon after you have understood how to get off the bar in backgammon.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Land_On_The_Safe_Side\"><\/span><strong><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Land On The Safe Side<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">When re-entering from the bar, try to land on points that are unoccupied or only occupied by a single opponent\u2019s checker. This reduces the risk of being hit again and you can then maintain control of your checkers on the board.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Look_At_The_Blocking_Opportunities\"><\/span><strong><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Look At The Blocking Opportunities<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Use your re-entry to block key points in your opponent\u2019s home board. You can create a block or a prime to limit your opponent\u2019s movement options and provide you with a strategic advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understand_the_Opponents_Home_Board\"><\/span><strong><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Understand the Opponent\u2019s Home Board<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Check the opponent\u2019s home board to identify the safest re-entry points. If your opponent has a strong position with many occupied points, choose a re-entry point that avoids those areas and positions you for future moves. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_double-valid_if_I_have_a_checker_on_the_bar\"><\/span>Is it double-valid if I have a checker on the bar?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can double as long as it\u2019s your turn and you\u2019re yet to roll the dice. This also includes turns where you don\u2019t get to roll as you have a checker on the bar, and your opposing home board is closed. However, you may need to request your opponent to wait before rolling to consider your double. They may even roll faster since you don\u2019t have to play with the dice.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_the_checker_has_re-entered_can_I_move_my_other_checkers\"><\/span>When the checker has re-entered, can I move my other checkers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, though it\u2019s possible only when no other checkers are on the bar. You must first enter all of your checkers from the bar before moving any existing checkers on the board. Nevertheless, once checkers from the bar have re-entered the board, you can use your remaining dice rolls to resume moving any checkers around the board.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_there_a_specific_limit_to_the_total_number_of_checkers_on_the_bar\"><\/span>Is there a specific limit to the total number of checkers on the bar?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The number of checkers on the bar is not limited at any point. While it is common to see one or two checkers on the bar, higher numbers are always possible.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_is_the_highest_point_in_backgammon\"><\/span><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">Which is the highest point in backgammon?<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-color=\"var(--purple-10)\">In Backgammon, there&#8217;s no single higher-numbered point on the board. However, the 5-point is very valuable because it helps control the game and block your opponent. The 7-point can also be crucial as it provides a strong position. Points in the opponent\u2019s home board are key when re-entering.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Knowing how to get off the bar in backgammon helps you win games more often. Here&#8217;s a quick read!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":701,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-board-games","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=700"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4667,"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700\/revisions\/4667"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mplgames.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}