What You Should Know About Backgammon Strategy

The debate between backgammon strategy and luck rages on across the backgammon boards of the world. Some feel that the game degenerates into the luck involved in a roll of the die at some certain ability level while others maintain that strategy and skill are the main elements required to play and win consistently. The courts may have come down on the strategy side of the question, but in either case there is a strategy component involved that needs to be understood for a player to do well when they play backgammon.

Not right from the start

If you are just starting to learn backgammon it is best to stay away from the strategy component for a short time. This is so that you can fully understand the game itself and how it is played at a fun level. As the game is learned, the basic moves that will later comprise the strategy aspect of the game will become second nature to you. In other words, the strategy component will make simple sense. As you get toward that “certain ability level” spoken to earlier you will then understand the reasoning of why some say the game just depends on luck. But until then, you will still need to know the backgammon strategy.

The basic strategies

Generally, backgammon strategy plays against itself if you are playing against a learned opponent. From this perspective, you should be prepared to play several strategies as a game develops. As you learn backgammon strategy you should also understand that you are playing with/against the strategy(s) and the player/his strategies/his understanding of how the strategies work together. The individual backgammon strategy is only one component of the game.

The running strategy

For those that have a good grasp of the game and are ready to learn backgammon strategy, the running strategy is the simplest to grasp. This backgammon strategy involves rolling big numbers and getting your pieces around the board fast. Don’t leave any stragglers behind and don’t let the pieces bunch up causing the need for the same roll over and over again to get them across safely. Big rolls are needed and some luck.

The blocking strategy

When you play backgammon strategy like this you want to fill as many consecutive points as possible on the board. Generally, the closer to your home board the better when the opponent has a piece or two caught behind the block. Make sure you take pieces in from the back forward and try not to leave an exposed piece as this would be dangerous.

Cover the points

There are certain rolls that are standard moves. This is why you want to just become comfortable with the game before you start to use strategy. Use these cover points as a matter of reflex when the option presents itself. A roll of 3-1 will cover your 5 point in the home area. A roll of 6-1 will cover the outgoing pieces of your opponent and begin a good blocking strategy. In many respects, this point is one of the most important points in a game to cover.