How to Win at Backgammon

Last Updated: August 4, 2021 References

Winning at backgammon is a matter of knowing what techniques and strategies will work best against your opponent. The more knowledge and experience you have as a backgammon player, the easier it will be for you to know what strategies will work. In order to improve your backgammon game, you need to make sure that you know the rules inside and out, use strategies like doubling, holding, and blitzing to your advantage, and improve your knowledge of the game by reading, getting help from a tutor, and/or playing more often.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Winning

1
Understand the rules. Thorough comprehension of the rules of backgammon will make it easier for you to win. If you are new to backgammon, you may benefit from making sure that you know the rules inside and out. If you have any confusion about the rules of backgammon, get answers to your questions from more experienced players.
2
Block your opponent. Remember that blocking is a good way to prevent your opponent from advancing to the bearing off stage too soon in the game. Go on the defensive right away by getting two or more of your checkers onto some strategic points around the board. Remember, you only need two checkers on a point to make it unavailable to your opponent.^{[1]
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- Having two or more checkers on points will also prevent your opponent from hitting your blots, which will set you back in the game. Do your best to protect any weak points that your opponent might try to hit.
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3
Hit your opponent’s blots. If your opponent has any blots (points with only one checker), go on the offensive and hit (take) those blots. By hitting one of your opponent’s blots, you will force him/her to move the checker to the bar and roll for reentry during the next turn. This will consume time and make it harder for your opponent to advance in the game.^{[2]
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4
Bear off as soon as possible. Bearing off is when you have all of your pieces in your home board and you can begin moving them into your tray. The sooner you can get all of your pieces off of the board and into the tray, the sooner you can win the game. Get your pieces into your home board as quickly as possible to increase your chances of winning the game.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Strategizing

1
Use your opening move to your advantage. The first move that you make can have a big impact on whether or not you will win the game. While you may not be able to make a good opening move in every game you play, it helps to know what to do when the dice roll is in your favor. The two best opening moves you can make are to create a prime or to move one of your pieces from the 24th point to the 13th point, also known as the “lover’s leap.”
- To create a prime, you either need a 3-1, a 4-2, or a 6-1 dice roll. The 3-1 dice roll is best because them you can create an anchor on your 5th point, thereby creating a prime with the 6th point. This puts you at an advantage because your opponent will have two fewer possibilities of passing your bar.^{[4]
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- To do the lover’s leap, you need a 6-5 dice roll. Use these moves to bring your 24th point checker out to the 13th point. This move exposes your other checker to being hit, but it gives you a great advantage towards home with the other one.^{[5]
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2
Double strategically. You can raise the stakes in a game of backgammon by using the doubling cube, but keep in mind that your opponent can also refuse your offer and end the game. In this situation, your opponent would lose. However, your opponent may end up losing fewer points than if you had not proposed a double. Therefore, it is best to propose a double when you are not too far ahead or too far behind of your opponent. That will increase the chances that your opponent will accept the offer to double.^{[6]
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3
Get your checkers out of your opponent’s home board. To reduce your chances of getting stuck in your opponent’s home board, you should try to get your pieces as far away from the 24th space as soon as possible. For example, if you roll a 6-5, use both numbers to move one of your checkers from the 24th point to the 13th point. Then, do the same with your other checker on the 24th space the next time you roll a 6-5.^{[7]
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4
Hold your opponent with anchors at the bar and 20 point positions. You can keep your opponent from getting to his or her home board by creating anchors near the higher points on your opponent’s board. This will prevent your opponent from getting checkers from the 24th point to the home board. It will also make it harder for your opponent to reenter checkers that have been hit and sent to the bar.^{[8]
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- You can create multiple anchors next to each other to form primes. The ideal prime is called a six-prime, 6 points next to each other that all have 2 or more checkers on each point. Creating a six-prime will make it impossible for your opponent to move towards his or her home board.
5
Try using a blitz strategy. The goal of a blitz is to hit as many of your opponent’s blots as possible while also advancing your checkers forward. Blitzing increases the odds that you will win a gammon or a backgammon and your opponent will lose more points.^{[9]
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- To blitz, begin by hitting any and all blots that your opponent leaves open during the first few turns. Try to get as many of your opponent’s checkers on the bar as possible and advance while your opponent is stuck trying to reenter the board.
- Try to create some anchors near your home board to slow your opponent down even more.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Improving Your Game

1
Read articles and books about backgammon. It is essential to learn all that you can about strategies and technicalities of backgammon if you want to improve your game. There are many books and articles that can help you to become a better player. The more you learn about the game, the better your advantage will be when you play the game.
2
Consider getting a tutor. Backgammon is a much more complicated game than is seems, so you may want to consider a tutor if you really want to improve your game. There are many people who play backgammon professionally and also offer their services as tutors. Working with a tutor can help you to learn about strategies that other people may not know about.^{[10]
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3
Play often. To keep advancing your skills, find frequent opportunities to play the game. You can always challenge your friends, but that might not be a good long term solution if your friends are not as into backgammon as you are. Instead, join a club, play people online, and compete at competitions to keep improving your game.^{[11]
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- If there is no backgammon club in your area, consider starting one of your own. It will give you more opportunities to play the game and you can connect with people who may be able to give you tips to improve your game.^{[12]
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Community Q&A

Question

What is it called when I have all my checkers off, but my opponent has one checker on the bar? I know it doesn't happen often.

Community Answer

Has he started his bear-off yet? If he still has all 15 checkers on the board, score a backgammon. If he got hit after starting his bear-off and stayed on the bar until you won, then it's just a single game.
Question

At the end, can I roll any number to win, or do I have to have the correct roll?

Community Answer

You need to have the correct roll. It makes the game more intense and challenging. Also, if you aren't the person winning, it also gives you a chance to catch up. By the way, be prepared because sometimes this can be annoying!
Question

How do we start the game?

Community Answer

Each player rolls a single die, rerolling until they're unequal. High roller plays first using those two dice.