Advanced backgammon Play: Tactics of Champions

admin · Site Admin Joined: 15 May 2007 Posts: 862

Backgammon should always be played seriously when playing for money. Usually advanced backgammon play is for money, and if you are an advanced player then you know how much can be at stake if not taken seriously. Many believe that backgammon play is easy, however they are mistaken. True advanced backgammon play is very much a game of pure skill and tactical moves.

So, now that you have learnt the art of backgammon it is now time to move on to advanced backgammon play. It is important to advance at a regular pace and not to rush into thinking you are pro as there may be high stakes that you might not want to lose. It takes a lot of experience and many games to get to a point when one can give themselves the title of professional.

A very good tip for advanced players is to know when to leave a shot alone. Picture this, your opponent's piece is placed on the bar and you are to leave a blot or a prime. At this time it would be wise to leave the shot alone. Instead, try to hit your opponent's piece in the home board. Many experts would tell you that this tactic is more important than making a blot or a blockade in the form of a prime. It is advised that you don’t try to occupy the ace point a the beginning of the game, instead let your pieces move out for the hitting or anchoring and then leave the ace point hitting for the final stages of the game.

A second point to keep in mind is the bar point, but try to occupy the equity points early in the game. In the game there are 4th and 5th points on both sides and it is up to you when a doubling is a match-winning or losing constraint. To know when to issue a double or when to decline or to issue a redouble in advanced backgammon play is crucial. Always keep in mind that the break-even points of a double are 25 percent. If you are lagging behind in a game doubles can bring you forward and give you a dramatic victory.