A basic Backgammon lesson for all

A basic Backgammon lesson for all

By Phil Simborg

This article is a basic Backgammon lesson with visual examples presenting different Backgammon positions and analyzing them. Take a look below where black has to play the dice shown. Decide what you think is the best play for each Backgammon move, check if you can see what each of these positions has in common.

Then, read further for the explanation.

There is one thing that each of these positions have in common. In every one, the right play is to make the 5 point. And in every one, there are other plays that look pretty reasonable.

The lesson here is pretty obvious. The 5 point is a critical point, and in most situations when you have a choice, it’s probably right to make the 5 point. Even when the 5 point is not the right choice, it’s usually not too big a mistake. So as a general rule of thumb, if I have a roll where I can make the 5 point, I’m going to make it unless I have a very strong reason not to.