BACKGAMMON STRATEGY          BACKGAMMON RULES     


Below are some basic backgammon strategies which can help you master the central elements of backgammon strategy for beginners. You should be able to adjust your basic strategies according to the way each game develops.


The Race
The best basic strategy is to try not to get hit or blocked. This strategy is best to play when you are ahead in the race.

Priming
This backgammon strategy is basic but is used very often. Its objective is to form 6 consecutive points of 2 or more checkers, thus blocking your opponents' ability to pass it. It is best to build it anywhere between your 2 point and your 11 point.

Holding / Back Game
Another basic strategy in backgammon is in most cases a result of being trapped in the opponent’s home board or being hit and having to return to the opponent’s home board. The aim of this strategy is to secure a point in the opponent’s home board and hit his checkers where a hit afflicts him the most as well as disturb the opponent’s game by repeatedly holding this threat. This strategy is best played when you are behind in the game. Do not use this strategy from the beginning as it is likely to lose your game, however, when behind, it does improve your chances to turn the game.

Blitzing
As a basic strategy for backgammon this rule allows you concentrate on your home board trying to block it as fast as possible while your opponent has a checker on the bar. The best example would be if your opponent had 2 and played it with one of the checkers in your 1 point and later on you had 5:5, then you should play 6->1, 6->1 and 8->3, 8->3 and, by doing so, have 2 of his checkers on the bar while blocking half of your home board.

Thinking Backgammon Strategy
Below are few basic backgammon strategy concepts to keep in mind when playing. Backgammon is a race to take all your checkers off the board before your opponent. However sprinting is not invariably the quickest way to do so. You must allow yourself at particular situations to leave some exposed checkers and at other times avoid hitting your opponent. Here are some basic backgammon strategy concepts:

• Being Exposed

Early in the game you can afford to leave exposed checkers on the board to allow grounds for a later attack or defense strategy. This is true especially when your opponent’s home is not blocked. You should try not to expose more than 4 open checkers at one time. If you are ahead in the game, limit your exposure substantially.

• Distributing

A good strategy in many cases is to try distributing your checkers evenly between the occupied points. Try to have less than 6 checkers on the same point.
This seemingly simple strategy elevates the probabilities for having better options for each roll.

• Hit!

As a basic strategy, almost always try to hit the most advanced checkers of your opponent. However, before you hit think if it offers you an advantage. For example, if you have your opponent’s checkers on the bar, it is better to secure another point in your home than to hit again. Also, think first if hitting will expose you to a bigger risk of being hit yourself. All that said, the most basic backgammon strategy is that when you can’t make up your mind if it is worthwhile to hit or not, HIT!