Backgammon strategies

At the beginning of backgammon

If you know nothing about the ancient 'game of tables,' known as the modern game of backgammon, perhaps you need to read up a bit. There is a plethora of information available both in bookstores and online - do your research.

If, however, you have a basic understanding of the game and, yet, still consider yourself a beginner this article is intended for you. There is the presumption that you know the essential equipment for the game:

one backgammon board
two players/opponents
30 pieces - 15 for each player, two different colors
one pair of regular dice (or, two pair - one for each player)
one dice cup (or, two cups - one for each player)
one doubling cube

In addition, it's presumed that you know the object of the game:

to get all your pieces to your home board and borne off before your opponent
Simple enough - right?

In fact, backgammon is an easy game to learn and can take your lifetime to master. It is, by most accounts, a game of deep strategy. The visual simplicity of the backgammon board set up belies this complexity.

After you've done your research and begin to get the 'hang' of the basics - check out a local club and/or tournament in your area. There is no better way to experience the simplicity and intensity of backgammon than to introduce yourself, literally, to folks who have played it since childhood or who were introduced to the game as adults and are, now, 'backgammon addicts.'

Most of these folks have an affection for backgammon and are willing and eager to share that with beginners. Respect the etiquette of the event you're attending; and, your game will begin to improve, over time. The best 'teachers' are players - all of whom were beginners, too. Watch them play. Ask questions. Listen. Play.

To follow are a few tips of play for beginners (and 'not-so-beginners,' as well). These tips are intended to be an initial introduction to the possibilities of play and to encourage you to continue to explore.

The amount of points you need all your pieces to move in order to bear them off is referred to as the pip count. Many moves are determined by how far ahead or behind you are in the overall goal to bear off first. It's possible that you feel you need to get as many pieces as you can in a forward motion toward that goal. Therefore, you move your pieces quickly, leaving yourself vulnerable. You, in fact, do not want to break contact with your opponent. Rather than clearing your pieces, adjust your strategy with a holding game in mind. This is a type of position where you are holding your opponent on a point; and, it is difficult for them to clear that point without leaving a shot. Your priority should be to build your board and wait until your opponent is forced off their point, without having to break up your pieces.

It is also important to know when to break your pieces and which points to make and when. As your play time increases you will begin to develop 'automatic moves' - moves that you make all the time in a given circumstance. Beware of playing 'automatically.' Each game is different.

Paul Magriel has written about the 'golden point,' dedicating an entire chapter to making and breaking that point - your 5 point and your opponent's 5 point.

There are arguments about which 5 point is more important - you will come to your own play style. There seems to be no dispute, however, that either 5 point is very important to fight for and to hold.

To give up important points is difficult, once gained and held, however. There are many factors to consider - timing, your overall position -- is it improving or not --, blots on the board, to mention a few. The more you read, the more you play, the more questions you ask and the more tournaments you attend, will sharpen your strategies and broaden your experiences.

Finally, this brief introduction should clearly indicate that you need flexibility in the game of backgammon. You should sustain as much point making potential as possible early in a game - fighting for that strategic advantage. Playing 'safe' doesn't work for long. Adopting a flexible and somewhat aggressive approach early on will begin to win you matches.

When to take that additional risk, when to 'hold,' when to 'attack' and when to relinquish a point here to win two points later will be learned through your experiences. Enjoy the game, meet players, attend tournaments; and, take the step from beginner to - intermediate.

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