Some Simple Strategy for the New Backgammon Player.

Every practiced backgammon player knows that winning the game is more based on practice, skill and strategy more than probability and luck. While the outcome of every roll of the dice is definitely based on probability, the way the player chooses to move his checkers is a huge factor in whether he succeeds in winning the game. Backgammon strategy can be learned only when one chooses to play backgammon and practice regularly, and this can be done by playing backgammon online through different internet backgammon sites that offer backgammon game download, backgammon software, and the option to play free backgammon. If one already knows how to play backgammon, it is time to improve their skills by learning some basic strategy.

One of the most basic and important strategies to learn is the opening move. Some dice rolls, the 3-1, 6-1, 4-2 and the 6-5 are well agreed upon and there is no question what the best move is, while the rest are still debated. Learning these moves, moves that have been known, taught and written about by experts, has proven to increase the chances of winning for any player. Obviously, your first move depends on the roll of the dice, and here we can list the best possible moves for the rolls above that are agreed upon.

First, let’s review the backgammon board and the backgammon setup. The board is compromised of four quadrants, divided in half by the bar, with 6 points in each quadrant, and each point alternating between two colors. We can number the points 1 through 24, with 1 being the point on the bottom right hand corner and continuing to 24 going clockwise. 30 checkers, 15 for each player, are set up as so: For one player, 2 checkers are on the 24 point, 5 on the 13 point, 3 on the 8 point, and 5 on the 6 point. The opposing player's checkers are placed directly across the board with the same number of checkers (eg. 2 checkers on the 1 point).

Out of all the dice rolls, let's get the outcomes that are agreed upon first:

3-1. With this outcome, you want to make your 5 point. This means that you move one checker from the 6 point to the 5 point, and another from the 8 point to the 5 point. This ensures that no checker is left as a blot, or with only one checker on a point, and saves you from getting hit.

6-1. With this roll, you want to make your 7 point. Again, any move besides this one leaves you exposed to hit blots. Also, this point is the second most important point on the board.

4-2. Make a 4 point with this move, as it is also an important point on the board and does not leave you exposed.

6-5. With this roll, simply carry a back checker all the way because it’s the farthest you can get in the race and doesn’t leave exposed blots.