Backgammon Board: Points to Ponder

Backgammon board points are essentially critical areas on the game's playing surface. What's more, some have developed reputed handles over time. There are 24 points, all in all, on the backgammon board. They are equally separated in to four quadrants: your inner and outer boards and your opponent's inner and outer boards. Each quadrant has six points each and in reference to their actual positions and strengths, they are accordingly named as well.

The Ace-Point: Regarding point positions on the backgammon board, this is your one-point and your opponent's 24-point. This is the first point on your inner board where two opposing checkers are set in starting positions.

The Bar-Point: This is the seven-point on your outer board. This point is highly regarded in the beginning phase of a game since a made bar-point, together with an already-made six- and eight-points make a three pip blockade. This point is fittingly named because it is immediately next to the center bar on the backgammon board.

The Mid-Point: This is your 13-point that has five of your pieces in starting positions. The mid-point is often regarded as a safe haven for when your back checkers run home. This is actually the landing point in what's called the "lover's leap" in an initial 6-5 roll when a back checker is advanced 11 pips on to the mid-point.

The Golden Point: Rather than a reference to position, this point is referenced to its advantages when made. This is your opponent's five-point on their inner board. Making your golden point, which is your opponent's five-point, accordingly hinders your opponent from bearing in easily and from closing their inner board completely.

A made golden point is similarly kept for as long as possible in order to maintain a strong hold on the opponent's inner board. Its importance similarly contributes to the fact that it's less likely to be held behind as the opponent is intending to bear in and it provides an open point for a barred checker to re-enter in an otherwise blocked quadrant.

There are four backgammon board points with reputed names in the game's vocabulary. These are the ace-point, bar-point, mid-point, and the golden point. The ace, bar, and mid-points all refer to locations on the backgammon board. They have their own advantages but none of them are regarded as highly as a made golden point in terms of strategy. And since it is referred to as "your golden point", that connotation alone takes much reference to its importance.