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Basic Backgammon Strategies

Whether you play online or land based, the importance of mastering the basic Backgammon strategies cannot be overemphasized. With a firm grasp of the fundamentals, there will be no such things as "bad dice throws", because you will be able to capitalize on any situation.

There is no general consensus on what the most effective basic Backgammon strategy is, but there are some plays and approaches that have proven themselves effective.

For instance, it is wise to avoid going all out and hitting your opponent's checkers at every which way. Often overeager players try to eliminate their opponents at every chance they get, which results in haphazard plays and situations. This style will expose your pieces to attacks and once you are hit hard early, the game may be lost.

One of the most basic Backgammon strategies to counter this, and yet very effective, is to position your checkers on the offense wide apart. You will want to do this for two reasons. One, it will protect from being hit consecutively, and secondly, it will allow you to make use of all the dice throws that come your way.

When it comes to hitting, make certain that the position you are going to get is important. If you can make greater advances by just moving around the opposing checker, then there is no sense in hitting him.

If you do get hit, just remain calm and accept that it is part of the game. Also, consider the big picture when it comes to your Backgammon strategy. If in the process one of your checkers gets hit but you get some pieces in favorable positions, then focus on that instead.

A Backgammon tactic that is often used by players is to set up a trap for their opponents early in the game. By building a wall of checkers you will be able to stymie your opponent's progress.

Basic Backgammon strategies include the setting up of anchors. These checkers can be placed anywhere on the opposing board, but for maximum effect they should be in the 20 and/or 21 spots. Of course, in the latter stages, it would be to your great advantage to have anchors in the 23 and 24 spots.

While some players prefer to have anchors far apart to be able to trap other checkers, others like to place them together. It is up to you to decide, and of course, this is dependent on the game situation and how many pieces you have left.

As a new Backgammon player, you will have heard of the running game, back game, prime game and the blitz. It is important that to study these basic Backgammon tactics and incorporate them into your game. In particular, you should learn how to set up defenses in case you get hit early.

Some players prefer to ignore these basic Backgammon tactics, and they always end up paying the price with a loss. While these techniques are fundamental, they will the foundation for all advanced techniques. In short, you will never master the deeper aspects of backgammon without understanding the basics.