Backgammon Beginner Tips

Pigeon · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 13

As an absolute beginner at backgammon, I am really in need of some good, solid advice from advanced backgammon players who have ‘been there/done that’. I find myself stuck in a rut, not advancing in my Fibs rating, hating the doubling cube and generally frustrated. I’m sure that others have been in my position and I’d love to hear how they dealt with this situation. Any words of wisdom will be welcome… thanks!

GulBara · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

Hi,

These are a couple of things that I’ve learned in my fifteen or so years of playing backgammon, both online and offline.

1. Regarding your dislike for the doubling cube: Stick to one pointers for a while until you get a general feel for the doubling cube. The cube is actually considered an ‘advanced’ tool and is thus not recommended for new players to the game of backgammon. Once you’ve played enough games, you’ll begin to get a feel for when you are ahead in the game – and can therefore accept the double offer- or, for when you are behind and then pass on the offer.
2. Use common sense. You could try, for example, to make very small changes to a typical position and see where the common theme lies. Cross-reference the feedback that you pulled from the bots, refer to books or simply think through the process. You’ll be amazed what this type of exercise yields in terms of basic understanding of the game.
3. Consider Paul Magriel’s book “Backgammon” to be your textbook and study it like a student would. It really is the best beginner book around.
4. Choose a backgammon magazine that appeals to you and subscribe to it. You’ll be kept up to date with the latest news in the world of backgammon.
5. Walter Trice’s “Backgammon Boot Camp” is also essential reading.
6. Keep notes of your learning and development process. Refer back on a regular basis to understand your personal learning curve.
7. Devote just as much time to studying backgammon as you do playing the game. Remember, you are still a student and studying the texts is an imperative part of your learning process.
8. Don’t be impatient. New material needs time to be absorbed. As tempting as it may be, don’t rush off to apply what your learn at the first given opportunity. Let the information sink in.
9. Don’t let numbers and results discourage you. We all go through ups and downs in our backgammon career. Learn to look at the big picture.
10. Don’t be tempted to move onto the next level of backgammon until you are sure that you fully understand the level that you are on. This is the classic case with the doubling cube that you are finding so difficult to deal with. You are obviously not quite ready to play with this tool – so don’t!
11. Have fun. Remember that backgammon is a game and first and foremost you need to have fun playing before anything else.