To Play Backgammon and Win you Must Have a Solid Grasp of Backgammon Strategy

Although backgammon may seem to be a game of chance since the moves of the pieces are made according to the outcome of the throw of the dice, experienced players know that to play backgammon competently you need a good understanding of strategy. With the large number of backgammon clubs in existence, the extensive literature explaining how to play backgammon to a high level, and all the learning opportunities available via the backgammon online sites, it is surprisingly easy to access information and practice sessions that will help you play backgammon at a skilled level. One of the biggest advantages to the series player of the free backgammon download are all the opportunities it provides to practice their play, against a tough online backgammon computer or in matches against one of the numerous other players who are drawn to Internet backgammon.

In order to play a good backgammon game there are a number of issues that the player should be able to easily handle. To start off with, they should not find themselves having to ask themselves, “What do the backgammon rules say I am allowed to do (or my opponent is allowed to do) in this particular situation.” Time spent learning these rules is well spent. Next, they need to decide on the principal elements of backgammon tactics that are going to be crucial to the success of their game. For example, since many games are lost in the early stages, it is vitally important to get off to start off on the right foot from the beginning. One good move maybe to block the two checkers the opponent has positioned in your home board. This “enemy” stronghold in your territory is important to neutralize, not least because it can be a significant obstacle in the closing stage of the game when you are trying to bear off, or remove your checkers to your home area.

Another element of strategy to consider is when to hit the opponent’s single checkers, or blots (to use the technical term). Some recommend doing this whenever the opportunity presents itself and you find yourself unsure of what move to make. Certainly it has advantages in that it puts the other player in a position when all the time they have to respond to your actions while their own strategy is neglected. On the other hand, a player needs to be extra careful they are not leaving their own blots undefended, and trying to avoid leaving single checkers exposed is a good policy to follow.

For the players interested in backgammon gambling, and that seems to be the great majority of players, learning when to offer and accept the doubling cube is vitally important. The offer of a doubling cube to your opponent and the increase in stakes that follows is an excellent proposition if you calculate a high probability of the game going in your favor, but miscalculations here can be very costly. Once again although reading certainly helps, practice is the true key to skilful play.