Combine the complexity of a chess game with the randomness of a poker game and you'd have something like backgammon. Its opening set-up is simple, but pick up a dice cup and your backgammon board will instantly unfold an array of possible formations and strategies. But before you become an expert strategist, you are a novice, and that means learning all the ins and outs of how to play backgammon. Welcome to Backgammon 101, courtesy of BackgammonPlus.com.
In this guide to backgammon playing, we look at some of the most important aspects of the game of kings, from the way dice rolls are broken down into checker moves to the role of blots in backgammon strategy (hint: they're important). Also included is basic information on how to set up your checkers at the start of the game and how to bear them off at the end.
Backgammon may use dice, but it is first and foremost a game of strategy rather than a game of chance. Even when they're not getting the best rolls, smart and experienced backgammon players will often find a way to win through smart positioning and offensive and defensive tactics. Becoming one of those smart and experienced players takes practice, but studying backgammon strategy tips like the ones in this article can provide a shortcut to success.
A backgammon board has an unmistakable look, from the dramatic spikes of its points to the beautiful wood or leather carrying cases used by the most dedicated enthusiasts. The aesthetic quality of backgammon equipment may be of secondary importance to casual players, but BackgammonPlus.com is pleased to offer a variety of material choices for those who appreciate the visual and tactile element of the game. In this backgammon equipment guide, we recommend the best choices for casual and committed players alike.
Backgammon is a game of luck in the same way that poker is a game of luck: the action may depend on the dice or the cards, but smart players have a knack for winning, no matter the odds. Our backgammon tips will help you to develop an advanced backgammon strategy that will put your opponent on the defensive - and on the bar (we meant the backgammon bar, but if you're near a mini-bar, a few consecutive gammons could put your opponent on that, too).
Much like chess, backgammon begins with a basic set up that immediately offers a myriad of potential moves and strategies. In fact, the so-called "game tree" of potential moves is far more complicated in backgammon than in chess, because the use of dice adds a layer of complexity to one's choice of moves that is not present in chess. (Just imagine the sort of tantrums World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov would have thrown if he had to roll double sixes AND think strategically.)
