Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Before we start and get in to the guide, some things you need to know:
You are granted give-away rights to this guide this means you can freely
distribute this guide by any legal method however you MAY NOT change the
content in anyway. For example you may give it to your friends, post it to your
Facebook page, give it away from your web site etc.
The information contained in this guide is valid at the time of writing though
given the nature of the internet is subject to change and some links within could
change, cease to work. The author has no control over this and cannot be
responsible for the content third party web sites.
NEVER, EVER use money for gambling or betting which you cannot afford to lose
under any circumstances. If you think you may have a gambling problem then
seek help, for example: http://www.gamcare.org.uk and similar organisations.
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
1
Contents
Overview of Backgammon
How to Play Backgammon
Opening Moves
Strategies and Tips
Backgammon Tournament Play
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
2
Overview of Backgammon
The Backgammon is loved, cherished and played by millions of people throughout the
world. The game transcends geography, age and technology, or lack thereof. Few games
have enjoyed the tremendous participation afforded to backgammon, either traditionally
or via high tech online gaming.
The rich history and simple, yet challenging, qualities of the game appeal to people of all
ages and backgrounds. Backgammon is seen as educationally appropriate for the young,
and also offers valuable brain-boosting characteristics for the older set. Whether played
online or on a simple wooden board, the game can be enjoyed equally by all economic
classes. Inexpensive game sets can be purchased at most toy stores or variety stores.
The game is easily accessible and portable for transporting anywhere you go. There is no
better time than the present to learn the storied past and exciting present aspects of a
game that will likely survive many generations to come.
The word backgammon is derived from the Welsh and when translated means,
appropriately so, small battle. Backgammon is a two person board game in which each
player moves their piece according to the roll of dice. The player that successfully
removes all of his checkers from the board first, wins the game. There are many
variations of backgammon, but they all tend to share several common traits.
Backgammon is a member of the tables family of games. This group of games is one of
the oldest in the world.
Although luck and the chance roll of the dice play a large role, player strategy also plays
a significant part in the outcome of the game. With each roll of the dice a player must
choose from numerous options for moving his checkers, as well as anticipate possible
counter-moves by the opponent.
Players may choose to raise the stakes during play. There are established guidelines,
meant to address any occurrence or strategy that may occur.
Much like chess, backgammon has been studied with great interest by a great many
people. The history and longevity of the game have lead to college courses, clubs, and
the curiosity of computer scientists.
This research has lead to the development of backgammon software which is capable of
beating world-class human players. From casual home play, to strictly-ruled tournament
play, backgammon remains a fascinating marriage of skill and luck that entrances
players around the world.
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
3
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
4
A checker may be moved only to an open point. An open point is one that is
occupied by your own checkers or by an opponents single checker. A player
cant move a checker to a point where their opponent has two or more checkers.
The numbers on the two dice constitute separate moves. For example, if a
player rolls 4 and 2, they may move one checker four spaces to an open point
and another checker two spaces to an open point, or they may move a single
checker a total of six spaces to an open point. These moves are dependent upon
the intermediate points four or two spaces from the starting point, being open.
If a player rolls the dice and the same number comes up on both dice, the
player may move double the amount shown on the dice. Say for example that
you roll a double six. Then you may move six points four times, in any possible
combination.
A player must use both numbers of a roll whenever legally possible. In the
instance that only one number can be played, the player must play that number.
If either number can be played but not both, the player must play the larger one.
When neither number can be used, the player forfeits their turn. In the case of
doubles, when all four numbers cannot be played, the player must play as many
numbers as possible.
corresponds to the point on which the checker resides, and then removing that checker
from the board. For example, rolling an 8 permits the player to remove a checker from
the eight-point. If there is no checker on the point indicated by the roll, the player must
make a legal move using a checker on a higher-numbered point.
If this is not possible, the player is required to remove a checker from the highest point
on which one of their checkers resides. The player is under no obligation to bear off if
they are able to make a different legal move. A player must move all active checkers in
their home board, before they can bear off. If a checker is hit during the middle of the
bear-off process, the player must bring that checker back to their home board before
continuing the bear off process. The first player to bear off all fifteen checkers wins the
game.
Doubling
Backgammon is played for an agreed stake per point. A game always originates at one
point. Throughout the course of the game, a player that feels they have an advantage
can propose doubling the stakes. The player may do this only at the start of their own
turn before dice have been rolled. The players opponent may refuse, when offered a
double. If the players opponent chooses to pass on the double, they concede the game
and pay the one point. The player that accepts a double becomes the owner of the cube
and only they can make the next double.
Subsequent doubles in the same game are known as redoubles. A player that refuses a
redouble must pay the number of points that were at stake before the redouble, or
become the new owner of the cube. If the second occurs, the game continues at twice
the previous stakes. There is no limit to the amount of redoubles in any single game.
Gammons and Backgammons
At the end of the game, if the losing player has borne off at least one checker, they lose
only the value showing on the doubling cube. This would be one point, if there have
been no doubles. If the loser of the game has not borne off any of their checkers, they
are gammoned and lose twice the value of the doubling cube. Even worse, if the loser
has not borne off any of their checkers and still has a checker on the bar or in the
winner's home board, they are backgammoned and also lose triple the value of the
doubling cube
The Crawford Rule
The Crawford rule is common in match play. The Crawford rule states that after a player
comes within one point of winning the match, the following game is played without a
doubling cube. This is known as the Crawford Game.
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
6
Non-compulsory Rules
There are many optional rules used in backgammon games around the world.
Automatic doubles. If identical numbers are thrown on the first roll, the stakes
are doubled. The doubling cube is turned to 2 and stays in the middle. Players
tend to agree in limiting the number of automatic doubles to one per game.
The Jacoby Rule. Gammons and backgammons count only as a single game if
neither player has proposed a double during the course of the game. This rule
speeds up play by eliminating the opportunity to avoid doubling in order to play
on for a gammon.
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
7
Opening Moves
Expert players of backgammon have developed a series of plays based on different dice
number combinations. These moves are referred to by backgammon players as opening
moves. These strategies are meant to be used in the crucial beginning phase of the
game, to achieve an advantage over an opponent.
Opening moves were developed with the belief that there is only one correct move for
some of the fifteen possible rolls. Extremely advanced players sometimes eschew the
opening moves to test their own new strategies. Beginning, intermediate, and pretty
much all other players are strongly urged to refrain from using their own plays in place
of the safer opening moves.
Opening moves were developed with specific objectives in mind:
The creation of new points, idealy those that easily form part of a prime.
Begining the move towards the home board. The most difficult checkers to get
home are the two furthest away at the start of the game, in other words, the two
checkers placed at an opponents ace-point. For this reason, it makes sense to
move these checkers in the opening if at all possible.
Unstack the heaviest points. In the set-up position there are five checkers at the
mid-point 13-point and the 6-point. Five checkers on a point is inefficient, so it
makes sence to redistribute those checkers as quickly as possible.
Opening moves are typically divided into three groups: Point-making rolls, Splits, and
Running plays.
Point-making rolls
3-1
There is not any other correct way to play 3-1 other than to make the 5-point with 8/5
and 6/5.
4-2
With this roll a player can make the 4-point with 8/4 and 6/4.
6-1
6-1 allows a player to make a prime right in the beginning of the game by making the 7point. This is also known as the bar-point with 13/7 and 8/7.
5-3
Make the 3-point with 8/3 and 6/3.
Split plays
6-3
A player can split their back checkers with 24/18 and bring a man down from their 13point. Sometimes called a mid-point to their 10-point, 13/10.
6-2
This is very close to 6-3, play 24/18 and 13/11.
5-1
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
8
Move a checker from your 13-point down to your 8-point to ensure that it is safe. Then
split your back checkers with the one, 24/23.
4-1
Very much like 5-1, play 13/9 and 24/23.
2-1
2-1 is played in the same way as 5-1 and 4-1. Play 13/11 and 24/23.
5-4
In this move, a player will play 13/8 and 24/20. By splitting their back checkers they will
go for making the 20-point next turn.
5-2
Once again, this is the same as 5-4: play 13/8 and split your back checkers with 24/22.
4-3
This throw can be played in several different ways. Two options are: play 13/9 and
24/21 or 24/20 and 13/10.
3-2
The slightly more conservative and cautious move is: 24/20 and 13/11.
The more daring and risky move is 13/10 and 13/11.
Running plays
6-4
Run one checker to the 14-point with 6-4, 24/14 with 6-4.
6-5
A player can move one of their back checkers all the way to their mid-point with 24/13.
This is also sometimes referred to as the Lovers Leap.
If you enjoy giving your brain a bit of a work out then you might like to have
a look at a couple of things below. Stretch yourself a bit with Sodoku and
mathematics..!
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
9
Best move
Good alternative
8/5
8/4
8/7
8/3
Split plays
6-3
6-2
5-1
4-1
2-1
5-4
5-2
4-3
3-2
13/10 24/18
13/11 24/18
13/8 24/23
13/9 24/23
13/11 24/23
13/8 24/20
13/8 24/22
13/9 24/21
13/11 24/21
24/15
24/16
13/8 13/9
13/8
13/11 6/5
13/8 13/9
13/8 13/11
13/10 24/20
13/11 13/10
Running plays
6-4
6-5
24/14
24/13
24/18 13/9
-
6/5
6/4
13/7
6/3
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
10
Make sure only to hit your opponent when it is actually to your advantage.
Take care not to hit just for the sake or quick thrill of hitting.
A hit should always increase the strength of your game; be mindful that it
does not end up serving your opponents game more than your own. Use
hitting to force your opponent to act evasively in the face of the hit.
Remember that hitting a blot when your home board has several blots in it
can sometimes manage to end up hurting your game more than helping it.
Build a prime - six points in a row. This strategy works to block your
opponents checkers. The prime acts as a line of protection that only you, not
your opponent, can cross. A prime in a players home board is known as a
closed board, because an opponent cant enter from the bar. With a closed
board, your opponent can't play at all, this allows you to bring in any pieces
you may have behind.
When you have a closed board and your pip count is lower than your
opponent's, and you also dont have to start bearing off, bear off from your
six-point first. This move will help to guarantee that you are not caught in a
contact position when your opponent enters from the bar.
Leaving blots in the early stages of the game can sometimes be strategic, but
be aware that if you are in a shaky spot, it may be best to reduce the number
of blots.
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
11
Backgammon Tips
If ahead in the race, use your lead to its fullest. Move as fast as possible and
break contact.
When you are behind in a race it is usually not a good idea to abandon an
anchor or a holding point. Waiting for that play could possibly end up being
your only chance to win.
When you are behind in the race and waiting for a shot, slot and build the
points in your home board in order.
Always slot to extend primes, especially 6-point primes, since this means you
have less checkers to work with. The exception would be when you run the
risk of being put behind a prime yourself.
When considering a double, you should be able to win 25% of the games, if
there is little risk of a gammon, to break even. Vary with match score (when
behind be a little more aggressive, when ahead be a little more conservative.)
Re-circulate your checkers when in a back game. Getting hit can improve your
timing and help you to evade crunching your board.
When in a back game, carefully consider all of your opponents rolls and make
shots by opening up points to increase your chances of hitting.
Try to keep an even number of checkers on your highest points when bearing
off against an anchor. This will help to avoid leaving shots if you should roll
high doubles.
Generally, if you have fewer checkers and fewer pips in a bear off, you have a
sound double.
If you have a choice between hitting a checker on your opponents side of the
board or making a point on your own side, it is usually wiser to hit.
If a player is attempting to save a gammon, they should always bear into the
6-point, and make crossovers if possible. On last roll situations, make the play
which most often allows you to save gammon.
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
12
In the instance of prime vs. prime, try to make plays that disallow you to play
high numbers on your next roll.
Try to gain equality early in the game, for the essential 5-point and 4-point on
both sides of the board.
When bearing off, use all available numbers to take checkers off, rather than
trying to smooth your distribution by simply filling gaps.
If you are 2 points away, try for the undoubled gammon. This method is
usually more effective than turning an early cube.
Remember to remain cool, calm and collected through major changes in luck
during the game
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
13
move is allotted about 15 seconds, and only after those 15 seconds is the time used
deducted from his allowed time.
Just as in chess, if a player runs out of time they automatically forfeit the match. This
additional strategic issue can lead to some interesting tactics towards the end of
matches. Its not uncommon to witness a player whose opponent is very short on time,
attempting to play complicated games with a lot of moves in order to use up his
opponents little remaining time.
Online Backgammon Tournaments
Playing in backgammon tournaments online is perhaps the most convenient, fastest and
easiest way to get in to it. A great thing about this is that there are daily freeroll
tournaments so you dont have to stump up an entry fee and you can still win a prize
pot for zero outlay. Here are two leading online backgammon tournament providers to
check out.
All games are 3-point matches with a 7-point final, and pays out the top 8.
>> PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION <<
Thanks for reading this ebook. I do hope you found it an interesting and useful
read which has either inspired you to start playing backgammon or helped your
current game in some way.
If you enjoy giving your brain a bit of a work out then you might like to have
a look at a couple of things below. Stretch yourself a bit with Sodoku and
mathematics..!
2013 backgammonstrategy.co.uk
15