Study and Practice Good Opening Moves to Have More Backgammon Success

We already gave you some thought in our previous entries on how important – or not – the opening move is for backgammon players. Will it make or break you? The conclusion, in admittedly a broad reflection, was that it can help you to do your homework and mentally prepare by knowing the key possible opening moves. So now let's hear from veteran backgammon player Phil Simborg, taking some cues from an article he wrote titled, "How to Play the Opening Moves."

Simborg explains in his article that there are two vital things you need to understand about opening moves. Firstly, consider that the experts have studied every possible opening move for years.They have the benefit of trying those moves out on opponents and learning form them, and have used coputer programs and the like to test their knowledge. For the most part, the experts agree on what the best opening move is for every possible dice roll.

Secondly, and most importantly, if you decide to do something counter to the advice of these experts, you are not helping yourself. You are lessoning the chance of winning the game and the match. Simborg goes on to say the simplest - and the best - way to master opening moves is to memorize what they are, and then do them. Certainly learn the reason and theory, but the understanding is less important than the application.

Sounds a lot like another great, history-making board game, Chess, doesn't it? So study, memorize, practice, and above all play often!