It cannot be denied that almost every gambling game relies heavily on luck, and this is true for Backgammon as well. However, if everything was based only on luck, and then there would be no such distinctions as a “good” player and “bad” player. Apart from luck, you also need to have skills when playing Backgammon, and if you want to be good at this game, you are required to practice regularly and never stop learning as you play. It is not an innate quality to be exceptional at Backgammon, but if you stick to it, you can gradually develop some skills to improve your game and eventually dominate any round.
Firstly, you have to make sure that if the other player tries to get you with an advanced anchor, you backfire with one too. This will force the other player to go even further, which will put you in a safe spot for a later play. In addition, if there were a significant distance between you and your opponent, it would be wise for you to drop even further. This is because when you are farther behind in the race, it will give you an advantage of sharpening your hit, which will give you an excellent backgammon. Moreover, you should not bail out on your anchor but you can give it a rest, as this might be your only hope of winning.
If you are leading the race, however, try to avoid any contact and bank any favored position in the game. However, if you have any second thoughts, then it is recommended that you hit. This will most likely put you in the first rank, especially if you hit on the other player’s court. If your opponent is leading and you are looking for an opportunity to shoot, you should try to slot and increase your score respectively.
Now if you are thinking of going for a double and you assume that you will lose every four gammon’s, you must win two in order to stabilize the game and not lose. You also need to make sure that at least a quarter of the game is in your control if there is a threat of a gammon. Moreover, you should try to keep the game in balance from the very beginning so you should not easily let go of your four-points and five-points. If you are ever caught in a prime verses prime situation, manipulate your moves in such a way so that when it is time for your next move, you do not have to play huge numbers.
What should you do if you have to choose whether to hit the other player’s court or build some score for yourself? It is recommended that you simply hit. In addition, the value of a seven-point cannot be denied, however, your best interest lies in making five-point or four-point.
Playing online, you can sometimes make hasty decisions as well. It is always a good idea to think over your moves before making any. Remember that only practice will make you a better player. And of course, last but not least, always try to have fun while playing.
By Sydney Jones
Now that you have some basic backgammon tips, make sure to read these backgammon rules so that you can ensure that you understand how to play the game.