Backgammon is one of the oldest games out there. It’s not the easiest one to learn the ropes of, but it is quite rewarding when you manage to do so. Learning the basic rules of backgammon does not take too much time; however, becoming very good at it and beating all of your friends can be a timely and frustrating process. Unless you use the right strategy.

There are many ways in which you can improve your backgammon skills and start winning more often. But not all of them work. We’ve tried and tested numerous so far, trying to reach backgammon mastery. Therefore, we are now able to recommend you some of the most efficient methods that will help you improve your backgammon results quickly.

These will come in handy whether you’re playing Backgammon Live or backgammon free online, or just having a fun time with your friends one-on-one.

1. Learn the Opening Moves and Responses

Just like in chess, there are certain ways in which you can start the game. These are called the “opening moves” and will dictate how the game develops further on. Each opening move has a response move that you should learn as well. Opening moves are designed to trick you into making a mistake, so by learning how to respond to them, you will greatly improve your backgammon skills.

There are many opening moves and many response moves. They can be remembered easily, though, if you learn them along the way, as you play.

2. Fall Behind Intentionally

This might seem like a counter-intuitive tip, but it can really help you regain your position when you start losing. When your rival starts getting significantly ahead of you, you should try to fall behind intentionally instead of chasing him. This way, you will be able to strengthen your back position without ruining your inner board.

This strategy is a risky one, so it takes some practicing to excel. Make sure that you do not fall behind too much, or you won’t be able to get back in the game later on.

3. Take a Break and Reflect

Another tip that might seem counterintuitive to beginners is to take a short break from playing backgammon from time to time. Give your brain some time to reflect on the new skills that you have learned. Backgammon is a cognitively demanding game which can deplete your energy pretty quickly.

In the meantime, it’s a good idea to play some more relaxing games, such as free bingo games on Bingo Blitz. You can also take some time to read about the theory and learn strategies before you get back to playing.

4. Spread Out Your Doubles

As you probably know, when you get lucky enough to roll doubles, you will get four moves. A lot of inexperienced players tend to use two moves at a time. However, most experts, including us, advise moving one piece at a time.

You should move one piece and then stop and take a look at the board. Something might have changed that you could not predict before the last move. Do this for the remaining three moves to make sure that you use the full potential of your doubles.

5. Remember the Prime

Prime is the first thing that you want to do when starting the game. It’s quite straightforward, and if you do it right, you will show your opponent that you mean business. It will also make the rest of the game much easier for you.

Basically, to perform a Prime means to capture two checkers in your home. You should try to create at least six columns with a minimum of two pieces in a row. If you manage to do this, you will significantly narrow the options your opponent has and reinforce your position.

6. Be on the Lookout for Blots

Blots, either on yours or your opponent’s side, should never go unnoticed. As soon as you see that your opponent has a blot, you should attack it straight away. At the same time, if you see blots in your game, you should try to solve them before your opponent takes advantage of your weaknesses.