Once you understand the rules of the game, backgammon is not a difficult game to play. Being able to win at backgammon is not difficult if you follow a few basic tips.

Block the Homefield

As soon as the game starts you can try to accumulate multiple columns of two pieces next to the homefield. The aim of doing this is to block your opponent from exiting from your home area. If your opponent is stuck with little option for fleeing, you will have a chance to begin to win at backgammon. Just be careful because as you start to enter your homefield to bear off, you are likely to leave some pieces unprotected.

Know When to Hit

Just because an opponent has a piece that is unprotected, does not mean that it is a good idea to try to hit it and send it off the board. This is particularly true if you have unprotected pieces in your homefield. If an opportunity arises, you can hit the piece, but if you look for any chance you can to hit, the result may be an opponent that is looking to pay you back.

In general, it is better to hit towards the end of the game if it looks like your opponent may be getting a bit too close for comfort to starting to bear off (take their pieces off the board).

Spread Out your Game

Do not stick to an obvious game plan, such as moving line by line. It is better to find opportunities and use them and spread yourself out. Just be sure not to leave any of your pieces unprotected if you can help it.

Work Out your Opponent’s Plan

Try to use any hints that you get from your opponent to your advantage in order to win at backgammon. This may help you devise a game plan that will help you to win. At the same time, try not to give away too much about how you plan to play.

Plan the End of your Game

In order to win at backgammon, it important to spread your pieces out in your homefield. It is important to give yourself options so that you are not stuck with pieces that you have trouble bearing off.

Remember that you are allowed to pass up an opportunity to move a piece off the board if you can make a different legal move. In other words you can choose to move pieces into a better strategic position rather than moving them off the board.

If you see that your opponent is far ahead of you, you should keep two or so pieces in his homefield. The advantage of doing this is that you will block columns for him to enter his homefield onto.

Also, once he starts bearing off, you may be able to capture one or two pieces of his, delaying his ability to remove his pieces from the board. This will give you a chance to catch up and may give you the break you need to win at backgammon.