Game Strategy Hints

The following suggestions and reminders concerning game strategy should prove helpful in the average game of Backgammon:

Play Safe: Never allow your adversary the opportunity to hit your pieces without good reason, as you could lose time in the running game.

Hit: While you hit enemy pieces to gain time, look out for possible counter-hits, since not every hit is automatically a good one.

Free You Back Pieces: The more time you take in doing so, the higher the risk there is of your enemy blocking your escape.

Remember: Direct Shots Are More Dangerous Than Indirect Ones

Block Your Adversary’s Back Pieces: Try to shut off the points the enemy back pieces need in order to break your blockade. Particularly important are points 5 (20), 4 (21), and the barpoint.

Be Ready To Take A Calculated Risk: Don’t be afraid of a possible minor disadvantage in order to achieve an important advantage.

Bear Off As Rapidly As Possible: Try to bear off as many pieces as possible with each throw and use other throws to occupy empty points.

Bring Up Your Helpers As Quickly As Possible To Your Outer Table

Remember: Pieces you dare not move are not active helpers, so keep in mind how many you actually have at your disposal.

Try To Build A Consecutive Group Of Points: Preferably between points 8 (17) and 4 (21). This will make it difficult for your opponent’s back pieces to escape.

A six-prime is the stronger formation, chiefly because an enemy piece cannot jump over it.

Remember: The player who can keep his prime intact longer than his opponent’s prime will typically win the game, since in a struggle between primes the timing factor comes into play.

If you have a six-prime, do not be afraid to stay on the bar and miss a roll or two, since this helps with timing.