Backgammon Tips

Backgammon is a strategy game, in which skill is essential, but chance also plays an important role. The difference between losers and winners consists in understanding probabilities, planning the following moves while reacting to the opponent’s game plan. Winning backgammon players know which piece has to be moved at any given position, or at least which move would increase their winning chances.
These backgammon tips can be applied both for the real game and for the free online backgammon game.

1. For those of you who do not know, you may always redouble the stake. When your opponent doubles, you may redouble again at any time, as long as it is your turn to throw the dice. For example, consider a three-point match in which the opponent’s score is one to nil. The opponent doubles, and you accept. When you throw the next dice, it is always good to redouble. If you lose the game, you will be losing the match, too, so would not it better to make sure that you win the match if you win the game?
2. When you are slow during backgammon tournaments, usually it is a mistake to abandon a strategic supporting point. It would be better to wait for a suitable throw may be your single opportunity to win.
3. When you are not decided, just hit. A hit is a good choice in many cases, especially if you hit into your opponent’s home, where he is the most vulnerable. Then, the opponent can stay a long time on the bar.
4. When you are slow in the race and you wait for a lucky throw, make points in your home board, in a suitable order.
5. Pay attention to extend the occupied places, among other things by building primes (a block of six successive points, designed also to hinder your opponent’s escape).
6. When you have to leave a shot, put your pieces where they will have the best affect on your game in case they are not hit.
7. In the early backgammon game, try to avoid putting your pieces on inferior, insignificant points. This will limit your moves later on in the game. Sometimes it may be correct, but if you have a good alternative, try not to put your pieces on your 1 and 2 points too early.
8. If you play a 2-point game or you reached a score in which both players need two points in order to win (for example, one to one in a three-point match, or three to three in a five-point game), it is usually good to double, if you have an opportunity. If you play with an obviously better opponent, you should double whenever you have an advantage (even an insignificant once). Your opponent would certainly double later on, but you might not realize later when the high time you could have doubled. Do not be afraid to change the game in what is called simple 1-point game!