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Backgammon Strategy

From fundamental principles to advanced tactics - improve your backgammon game with proven strategies used by experts worldwide.

Fundamentals for Beginners

Backgammon is fundamentally a race to bear off all your checkers first. But the shortest distance between two points is not always a straight line. Most beginners rarely leave exposed checkers and hit as often as they can - but this seemingly logical approach is not always the best strategy. Here are the key principles to build your game on.

Distribution

Distribution refers to how evenly your checkers are spread across the points you occupy. It is usually better to have 3 checkers each on two points rather than 4 on one and 2 on the other. You should rarely have six checkers on a point and almost never more. A player with even distribution will seemingly get "luckier" dice - because more rolls produce useful moves.

Exposure

Don't be afraid to leave blots (exposed checkers) early in the game to build a strong position. Be more cautious as your opponent's home board gets stronger - the more points they control, the harder it is to re-enter after being hit.

Conversely, the more anchors (points in your opponent's home board) you control, the bolder you can play. Even with a weak opposing board, limit your blots to no more than four. If you're significantly ahead, restrict exposure to maintain your lead.

Blocking and Priming

Build points without gaps directly in front of your opponent's checkers to prevent their escape. Establish key blocking points in approximate order of importance: 5-point, 4-point, bar-point (7). Six consecutive points form a prime - an impassable wall that traps any checkers behind it.

A 6-point prime (points 4-9): Black's checkers behind it are completely trapped.

Hitting

Hit checkers that are the most advanced or that your opponent would like to cover. Attack when it's advantageous - but if you already have two enemy checkers on the bar, making another home board point may be more valuable than hitting a third. There's an old adage that still carries weight: "When in doubt, hit."

Anchoring

An anchor is a defensive point in your opponent's home board. It gives you a safe landing spot when hit and prevents your opponent from closing their board. Early in the game, aim for higher anchors (the 20 or 21-point). If you fall significantly behind in the race, lower anchors (22, 23, 24-point) become more valuable as you shift to a holding strategy.

Opening Moves

Experts have studied backgammon openings extensively, and there is broad consensus on the best first move for every dice combination. Memorizing these gives you an immediate edge.

The "No Debate" Rolls

Opening 3-1: Make the 5-point (8/5, 6/5) - the most important point on the board.

These opening moves are universally agreed upon:

  • 3-1: Make your 5-point (8/5, 6/5). The 5-point is the single most important point on the board.
  • 6-1: Make your bar-point (13/7, 8/7). The second most important point.
  • 4-2: Make your 4-point (8/4, 6/4). Another key home board point.
  • 5-3: Make your 3-point (8/3, 6/3). Once debated, now accepted as correct.
  • 6-5: Run a back checker (24/13). Best for the race, leaves no blots.

Other Opening Moves

  • 2-1: Split (24/23) and bring down (13/11). Slotting the 5-point is a reasonable gamble.
  • 3-2: Advance a back checker (24/21) and bring down (13/11).
  • 4-1: Split and bring down (24/23, 13/9). Slotting the 5-point is also viable.
  • 4-3: Advance a back checker (24/21) and bring down (13/9).
  • 5-1: Split and bring down (24/23, 13/8).
  • 5-2: Advance a back checker (24/22) and bring down (13/8), or bring two from midpoint.
  • 5-4: Advance a back checker (24/20) and bring down (13/8), or two from midpoint.
  • 6-2: Run out (24/16), or run to bar and bring one down.
  • 6-3:Run out (24/15), or advance to opponent's bar and bring one down.
  • 6-4: Run out (24/14), make your 2-point, or split moves.

Advanced Tips

These 27 principles, gathered from expert play and backgammon literature, will elevate your game:

Positional Play

  1. Fight for equality early. Battle for your 5-point and 4-point on both sides of the board.
  2. Match your opponent's anchors. Once your opponent makes an advanced anchor, it becomes even more important to establish one yourself.
  3. Lock up permanent assets. When in doubt, making a key point is often better than a loose hit.
  4. Always slot to extend primes, especially toward a 6-prime. The exception: when you risk being trapped behind a prime yourself.
  5. The bar-point is valuable, but if you have a choice, the 5-point or 4-point is usually better.

Racing Strategy

  1. When ahead in the race, race! Break contact and rely on your lead.
  2. When behind in the race, don't abandon your anchor or holding point. Waiting for a shot may be your only chance.
  3. If you're already far behind in the race, it may not hurt to fall further behind - being hit can improve your timing for a backgame.

Hitting Tactics

  1. When in doubt, hit.Especially on your opponent's side of the board, where it matters most for the race.
  2. Loose 6s are better played on your opponent's side. It's better to try to escape or establish an anchor than to risk a hit on your side.
  3. If you have a choice between hitting on your opponent's side or making a point on your own, usually hit.
  4. When you already have several opponent checkers back, strengthening a prime is often better than sending more back (which may improve their timing).

Backgame and Defense

  1. Recirculate checkers in a backgame. Getting hit improves your timing and prevents board crunch.
  2. When in a backgame, consider all your opponent's possible rolls and create shots by opening up points.
  3. When behind and waiting for a shot, slot and build your home board points in order.

Bearing Off

  1. Use all your numbers to take checkers off rather than smoothing distribution by filling gaps.
  2. When trying to save a gammon, bear into the 6-point and make crossovers whenever possible.
  3. Keep an even number of checkers on your highest points when bearing off against an anchor - this avoids leaving shots on high doubles.
  4. As a general rule, fewer checkers left + fewer pips = a sound double.

Doubling Cube Strategy

  1. You generally need at least a 25% chance of winning to accept a double (when gammon risk is low). This varies with match score.
  2. For every 2 gammons you expect to lose, you need to win 1 extra game to compensate.
  3. When considering doubling while on the bar, make sure you have serious market losers - you might dance.
  4. If you're 2 points away from winning a match, try for the undoubled gammon rather than turning the cube early.

Mental Game

  1. Keep your composure during big swings of luck. Evaluate each position fresh, not based on what you used to have.
  2. Duplicate your opponent's constructive numbers when considering plays - arrange your blots so they need the same rolls to hit them.
  3. In prime-vs-prime situations, make plays that restrict your ability to play high numbers on the next roll (preserving your prime).