Anyone can play backgammon that is the good news, and with the introduction of online backgammon playing the game just got a whole lot easier for players around the globe. It'll take just a few minutes to read the basics of how to play, and for your first many games, it may seem a simple game with the winner being the man or woman who, by luck, rolls the highest numbers on the dice.

After a time, you'll find that really playing the game, well that requires a different approach, because though the basics are easy to understand and follow there is a lot more involved.

Skeptics beware; there really is a strategy to the game. More correctly, there are several strategies. Hence, the joy in playing the game against real people, rather than a computer. Online backgammon offers just this opportunity.

Deciding your best strategy is the most important aspect of playing: which positions, where to place your checkers, should you go for a more aggressive game or do you play a defensive game? all key questions when deciding what game to play.

What is the best strategy for a new backgammon player?

The best strategy for a beginner is the most straightforward style of game play. Move your checkers to your side of the board and off as quickly as possible. Play with a very clear agenda which is this - avoid being hit, or getting trapped, or ending up in mutually blocked stand-offs.

Your goal will be to get your checkers to your side of the board as quickly as possible, without holding any checkers on your opponent's side of the board. Your first priority therefore is to get the deepest checkers those inside your opponent's homeboard out of there, quickly.

This is called the Running Game and is probably your best bet for starts.

What is an Anchor and when should I play it?

An Anchor is a point held by a minimum of 2 of your pieces. Determining where to place your Anchor is crucial to the set up of the game. Opening an anchor means you want to remove (or sometimes have to remove) a piece from an anchor leaving the remaining piece vulnerable.

When playing the game try to reach your early game targets as soon as possible. The quicker you achieve this you improve your chances and choices, leaving you better equipped to focus on your opponent and their strategy, as well as maintaining your own momentum.

Should I play defensively or aggressively?

That may depend upon your personality and mood more than on strategy. Are you in the mood for an attack, or would you prefer to sit back and let your opponent do their best? Veteran players tend to go for the attack principle, preferring to take the fight to the opposition. This also determines the speed of the games, and capitalizes on the risk taking principle, the more risks the better the chances of victory. Or the more risks the more reckless your strategy can become and the more vulnerable you become. One risk too many and you lose.

Going on the offensive means that your opponent is forced into the defensive side. Most likely, he or she will look to set up strategies to hinder your progress.

I prefer to play defensively what can I do?

One of the classic defensive game strategies is called the Priming Game. In this game, you build a series of anchors at least 6 points long.

This stops your opponent's ability to move behind your wall. With 6 spots blocked your opposition can't pass even if they throw a six. He is paraylized, with checkers stuck on your side of the board, unable to take pieces out.

The additional Anchor strategy he employed has now backfired and he has to wait for you to move, unable to do anything about it.

This page was last updated on September 12th, 2006.