Winning Strategies in Backgammon: A Beginner’s Guide

Backgammon is more than dice. Use these practical strategies—openings, blockades, anchors, timing, smart hits, efficient bearing off, and the doubling cube—to win more often.

Introduction

Backgammon blends chance with strategy. Dice dictate possibilities, but your choices decide outcomes. The habits below will help you squeeze maximum value from average rolls and stay resilient after bad ones.

1) Build a Strong Opening

The first rolls set the tone. Favor early point-making over scattered moves. Securing inner-board points and safe outposts creates flexibility while reducing exposure.

Tip: When you roll doubles early, invest them in making or consolidating key points instead of overextending.

2) Prioritize Making Points (Blockades)

“Making a point” (placing two or more checkers) denies that space to your opponent. Consecutive made points form a blockade that slows or traps opposing checkers.

Example: A four–to–six-point prime erected early is incredibly powerful and often decisive.

3) Hit Blots Wisely

A single checker on a point is a blot. Hitting it sends that checker to the bar—costing your opponent time and often disrupting their plan. But every hit exposes your own checkers to counter-attack.

Rule of thumb: Hit when it gains tempo or improves your structure without leaving multiple risky return shots.

4) Build Anchors

An anchor is a point you hold in your opponent’s home board. It’s insurance against being closed out and provides a springboard for counterplay.

Best practice: Early anchors around the 20- or 21-point are especially valuable for defense and flexibility.

5) Timing Is Everything

Good timing balances safety with progress. Advance too fast and you’ll scatter blots; wait too long and you’ll be trapped behind a prime. Count pips occasionally to judge whether to push or pause.

6) Race & Bear Off Efficiently

Once all checkers are home, it’s a race. Distribute checkers evenly across inner points to avoid gaps that stall your bear-off.

Pro tip: If ahead in the race, play safe and avoid exchanges; if behind, take calculated risks to create volatility.

7) Master the Doubling Cube

The doubling cube raises the stakes. Offer doubles when you’re clearly ahead with practical winning chances; accept when your position retains strong counterplay or market losers are likely.

Simple guide: If you’re comfortably ahead in pip count and structure, consider doubling. If your opponent’s threats are many and immediate, think twice about taking.

Conclusion

Winning at Backgammon is about consistent, low-risk decisions that accumulate advantage: make points, hit for tempo, anchor for safety, mind your timing, bear off cleanly, and use the cube intelligently. Practice these habits and your results will follow.