best way to teach backgammon to kids

Whopper · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 7

My husband and I are huge backgammon enthusiasts and we want to teach backgammon to our children (age nine and twelve). Does anyone have any information about where I can find simplified rules or methods for teaching backgammon to kids? Thanks.

Wipeout · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 19

Actually, the is a book specifically about this topic. The book, written by Lizann Flatt, is called “Backgammon for Kids”. The book comes complete with a full set of plastic backgammon checkers, a doubling cube and two sets of dice and shakers and a carrying case with a backgammon board with a magnetic closure. The book includes simple, easy to understand backgammon rules, strategies, backgammon trivia and information about the history of the game.

More information is available at http://www.gammoned.com/books/flatt.html

Shaker · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 20

I think it’s great that you want to teach backgammon to your children. I didn’t start getting into the game until after college, but I think I would have loved it as a child. It’s a great way to strengthen both the strategic and logical parts of your child’s brain! If I was going to teach backgammon to my children I don’t think I would need a book. I think you can just play the game with your children and explain as you go. I think the easiest and best way to learn is through playing the game.

Sappertone · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 17

If you want your child to learn backgammon just so that you can have an opponent and have a little bit of family fun then I think it’s fine just to teach your child the basic rules yourself. You can teach strategy as you go along. Use different techniques such as priming and anchoring against your child in order to show them these techniques and then help them to learn how to play against these moves.

If your child wants to learn to play by himself or herself then I would recommend downloading jellyfish or gnu backgammon or one of the other free programs that teaches you how to play and also critiques your game. This is how I learned and it was so simple for me, I’m sure it would be an easy way for a child to learn as well.

Rail · Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 24

No matter how you teach your kids how to play the game I salute you! Backgammon is a great game to teach to children for many reasons. For starters, it is a great way to teach your children how to handle good and bad luck. At first, your children may get upset when they lose, but in time they will become good sports. I think backgammon is also a good way to teach your kids practical math skills. In backgammon, your children will learn to about statistics and odds. The game of backgammon makes math fun! Finally, backgammon is a fun game that you and your children can play together as a family for years to come! It’s good to turn off the television from time to time and sit down together with a board game. Backgammon will bring your family together. I think it’s a great idea!