Winning Moves in a Holding Game

When playing backgammon you'll often find that you're stuck in what is called a holding game. The options have now become quite limited. And the thing that's in the mind of every player is what moves could be made to play a holding game right. Let's discuss three winning moves we can play in a holding game.

Remember that when players are stuck in a holding game the options are quite limited. An important virtue every player ought to practice therefore would be patience. Players are waiting for the right moment. The two goals or opportunities that both players are waiting for are either to make a big run for it or to make a decisive hit, trap the checker, and then make a run for it.

During a holding game players will be limited to 3 winning moves. First is to make a double on the dice roll and make a quick escape. Making a double on the dice is a good way to facilitate a successful escape for the trapped back men. It does not only let both men escape it also provides the chance to move the anchor keeping it safe. This is better than having a blot on your opponent's side of the board - leaving that checker open to possible attack from the opponent.

Ideally a player ought to move his anchor or anchors when a double comes along. This would keep the checkers safe. So the general rule is to move the anchor or anchors first when a double roll on the dice come up. But at times in a holding game we are stuck with the choice of a possible escape even when we don't have a double.

If a double roll on the dice is not quite coming along (tough luck for any player); the next option for a player should be to build his home board. It is quite tempting to make a run for it when we make a high roll like a 5-6 or something close to that. Remember that in a holding game patience is the key virtue.

Building the home board first should be the bright clear alternative when the chance to move the anchor is not yet there. Building one's home board also helps a player catch up on the pip count. It may even provide a good trap in case you make that greatly timed hit.

That's the last likely winning move we can make in a holding game. When a player's home board has been set up pretty well, making a hit makes a great winning move. Given this situation in a holding game, it is quite ok to split up the anchor and make a hit.

Moving the anchor during double rolls on the dice, building the home board, and hitting are the winning moves a player must concentrate on during a holding game.