Some Principles That Build Winning Strategies

Knowing winning principles make great backgammon strategies. These principles form the backbone of any strategizing players may try during a game. These principles also help when players make crucial decisions during crunch time.

A common mistake by beginners is either they expose too much of their pieces in an effort to hit enemy pieces or are playing safe too much by avoiding blots altogether. Doing either of the two impairs the general movement of a player's checkers - bad strategy. One good principle is to distribute pieces equally on different quadrants of the board.

Unless you are using a prime, there is really no such thing as a unique position for the checkers. Another principle to keep is to have checkers spread evenly - this would play well whenever a player makes an awkward throw on the dice. A pretty bad position would be to have stragglers lagging behind more than 6 points behind the pack. This is especially true during the end game where they become prime targets to be held up at the bar.

This is not true during the opening rolls or the first few moves of the game. Some players are too afraid of exposing their pieces that they sometimes miss out on opportunities to make a really good hit. This may be true for players who would be too eager to establish a strong defensive or offensive strategy.

Another principle has to do with how you view blots. Most people think of blots as weaknesses. The truth is a blot can either be used as a lure, or as a bridge for other pieces. Knowing when to expose your pieces is a critical principle to have especially when you're behind in the game.

Blots have another use as a strategy. They become stepping stones for other pieces (especially stragglers). Another point we need to consider is that you can never completely play a game wherein blots never arise. They do. What's important is knowing how to use these blots.

Another good principle is to be patient and never break your anchors too early once they're established. Anchors at the bar line are very effective as an offense and a defense. Be patient. Bar anchors also act as an insurance just in case your opponent makes a lucky roll and you find yourself well behind in an instant.

To hit or not to hit, that's our next principle. Strike when the opportunity is present, especially when the opponent can't hit back. It is also suitable to hit when you can easily the cover that point you hit later on. When you already have an enemy checker at the bar and an opportunity arises for you to either hit or establish a point, the general consensus is to go for the point.

But if in case in that situation you decide to hit, make sure that you cover your new blot with another checker as soon as possible.

Positioning the checkers, exposing pieces at the right time, using anchors, and knowing when to hit are principles to live by to have a winning backgammon strategy.