The Misere of Backgammon: Woe it is not!
Misere backgammon is a variant wherein the aim is to be the last to bear off one's entire counters or checkers. Misere is also called 'backgammon to lose' or 'anti-backgammon' because you want to be beaten. So if your opponent bears off all their checkers first, you win misere! Keep in mind that only the goal is changed and not the rules of the game. So what do anti-backgammon enthusiasts see in misere, anyway?
Since the rules state that moves must be taken when they represent legal moves on the board, consequently, you can't stand by and watch your opponent go on alone. You have to move your counters using the worst decision you can think of at the cast of the dice. That alone makes it worthy of note!
The last thing you want to do is bear in, much less bear off, so misere backgammon players tend to leave blots so they'll be sent to the bar as often as possible. Of course, one can't keep from hitting opponent's blots as well despite the fact that you intentionally want to play poorly in order to win.
If the best possible position in a regular game is an enemy checker on the bar with your closed board, it's one of the worst things that could happen when you're playing misere. You don't want to close your board unless all your and your opponent's checkers have passed each other. It's because you're going to want to take advantage of the chances for leaving vulnerable shots on the board and hopefully, getting hit along the way.
When playing anti-backgammon, the goal's reversed so one should make use of regular strategies by going against them. Think about employing a back game strategy in reverse. When you're behind (as one would hope in misere) then consider racing. More often than not, you'll find yourself being sent back and that's very good in backgammon-to-lose.
When it comes to misere backgammon, you want to bear off all your checkers last in order win. That's why it's also known as anti-backgammon and backgammon to lose. What's proper play in a regular game is bad in misere that's why one should intentionally play very poorly to claim victory. That's pretty tricky when regular players make that switch, but it's also very challenging. Misere backgammon isn't a dismal game as its name implies because by seeing the worst moves at the cast of the dice, one can see the best moves as well.