Backgammmon Winning Strategies

1. Fundamental Backgammon Strategies

Most of the Backgammon beginners expose their pieces and hit the opponent's ones as often as they can. But it was proved that this method, even if it seems logical, is not the best strategy. Here are some factors which should be taken into account in order to conceive a winning plan:

2. The distribution of the pieces

Try to distribute your pieces equally on the surface of the table. You rarely need six or more pieces in a unique position. A player who doesn't have the pieces equally distributed will have little flexibility in using the dies advantageously for him. Try to arrange your pieces according to an order, for increasing the number of "good" throws. Besides, try to keep your pieces at a maximum distance of six positions between them; this will help you in case a piece should be covered.

Don't be afraid of leaving some pieces free at the beginning of the game, in order to establish a strong offensive or defensive. At the beginning of the game, you may leave some pieces exposed, in order to use them as bridges, to step on. Later on, during the game (especially if you find yourself in a weaker position) the consolidation of the pieces is the best strategy.

4. Piece-jam

In order to prevent your opponent's pieces to escape from your home, try to put your pieces, without vacant places, directly in front of your opponent's pieces, getting them stuck. If you provoke a first piece-jam - six pieces, without free places, in a row - this won't allow your opponent's piece escape.

5. Hitting

Sometimes the most important action is hitting the most advanced piece belonging to your opponent. However, try to hit such a piece only when it brings advantage to you. For example, try to hit the pieces which later on will be covered, so that the opponent could afford an important position. Try not to hit if the opponent already has pieces on the line, and you can establish another important point if you don't hit. If you decide to hit, try to cover your pieces- in case you will be hit on your turn. Keep your target in your mind and don't break it. However, there is an old Backgammon saying: "when you don't know what to do, just hit!"

Try to establish defensive positions (anchors) in the opponent's home. This action has two purposes: (1) there can be a place for your piece in case you are hit and (2) the opponent can't make himself a home. The positions next to the line (20, 21) are the most valuable, to be occupied at the beginning of the game. If you are doubled during this competition, the farthest positions from the line are the most important to be occupied (22, 23, 24). It is the best thing to establish adjacent anchors. You may let on purpose uncovered pieces, in order to establish anchors, in order to gain time and to keep other advantages of that position.