- Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Playing backgammon can be fun for any age. Learning how to win and getting better is even more rewarding. But sometimes learning something that you didn’t think you would really helps make the game even more entertaining for the player.
When you think of playing, for the most part you won’t think about the dice except that you roll them to move your checkers around. However there are rules about the dice that, while, must be followed in the game. For example, the dice must be rolled together, not individually. They must land flat on the right-hand section of the game board. If they land on a checker, off the game board, or aren’t flat, both must be re-rolled. Another rule with the dice is that a turn isn’t over until the player picks up the dice. And if the opponent rolls their dice before the player picks up their dice, that roll is deemed void and they must re-roll once the first player has picked up their dice.
Another has to do with how your checkers are laid out. This is defined by three terms, your communication, distribution and diversification. Good communication in backgammon has to do with keeping your checkers within six points of each other. This will make it easier to help out a checker if it becomes in danger from your opponent, either covering it or a place for the checker to go to. Distribution goes along with the communication because it you want your checkers divided out evenly among the points you occupy. Of course, if you have good communication you will have good distribution. Along with this you will want no more than three checkers on two points instead of two on four. And rarely will you want a point with six checkers. More even distribution gives you better advantages with your rolls. The diversification has to do with the good communication because if your checkers are distributed well you have better odds of good rolls on each of your turns, which can help you win the game.
Almost everyone knows that doubles on the first roll lets the player move twice in that round and re-roll. However not many know what if you roll double sixes on your first roll, you get to move four times in that round. This can be extremely advantageous early on in the game when you are trying to create a block in your home board. And it helps keep your checkers from having to be moved individually.
Little things can win the game. Backgammon is easy to learn but mastering it can take years. Extra things can help you have an advantage over your opponent. And this barely touches the surface of those extra things. The best way to learn is to play against those more experienced.
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