Tips for Serious Backgammon Players

1. Once an opponent makes an advanced anchor it is imperative that you make one too, as your opponent can now afford to make bolder plays that could put you on the defensive.

2. If you are significantly behind in the race it may not hurt for you to fall further behind. Being way behind in the race may actually improve your timing to be hit again, thereby giving you a better backgame or avoiding crunching your board.

3. When ahead in the race break contact and bank on your racing advantage.

4. When behind in a race don't abandon an anchor or a holding point: waiting for that shot may be your only chance to win.

5. When in doubt: hit. Hitting takes priority in most situations, especially on your opponent's side of the board, when it makes a greater difference in the race.

6. When behind in the race and waiting for a shot, slot and build the points in your home board in order.

7. Always slot to extend primes, especially 6pt primes, since you have fewer checkers to work with. The exception to this rule is when you also risk being put behind a prime.

8. When considering a double, for every 2 gammons you believe you will lose, you must win 1 more game to make it up.

9. When contemplating a double, you should be able to win 25% of the games, if there is little chance of a gammon, to break even.

10. When trying to save a gammon, always bear into the 6pt, and make crossovers whenever possible. On last roll situations, make the play which allows you to save gammon most often.

11. In prime vs. prime situations, make plays where you can't play high numbers on your next roll.

12. Battle for your 5pts and 4pts on both sides of the board early in the game.

13. When considering doubling while on the bar, make sure you have serious market losers.

14. Making a key point is frequently better than a loose hit.

15. When bearing off, use all your numbers to take checkers off rather than trying to fill holes.