Two Valuable Beginner Backgammon Tips

Next to learning the mechanics of backgammon, learning effective execution of strategies directly contribute game victories. And as a whole, using recommended moves with an opening roll and managing back checkers are two beginner backgammon tips that prove valuable in whatever strategy one might be so inclined to carry out against their opponent. So what makes these two backgammon tips valuable in winning a game?

The first tip of knowing the best move with an opening roll and using them contribute to valuable starting plays in any strategy. Experts have studied and recommended optimal moves for each of the possible 15 openings in a game. And some of these best opening moves in backgammon include rolls that make or cover inner board points as well as jumps that prove to be advantageous plays.

An example of these inner board-making openings include the optimal move of making the five-point with a three-one opening roll. And there's also the quintessential jump or "lover's leap" with an opening of a six-five dice combination.

The second of these beginner backgammon tips is to know when it's time to split back checkers. Without a doubt, overlooking those two checkers on the opponent's ace point is one common mistake that novices make. If not, then it's running these pieces at less than favorable times in the course of a match and being hit time and again.

There's one clear-cut sign of when you have to split and run back checkers in the broadest sense of the tactic. Of course, we shouldn't disregard how the rest of the checkers are distributed on the board as well.

If higher points in your opponent's inner board are taken - four-point or five-point - then, you must split your back checker as soon as possible. The reason behind this is that your opponent is concentrating on a prime that would trap your runners behind it if you don't get out soon. Also, there's less intent to hit you at that point until their prime is built so it's best to get out when your roll permits it.

These two valuable beginner backgammon tips provide safe courses of action as you carry out your general strategy or as you change it to what the situation demands. So remember, memorize the recommended plays from experts per opening roll so that you could carry them out. And don't neglect your back checkers so you wouldn't fall into the pitfall of this usual novice mistake. That is, get them out of your opponent's inner board quickly when your opponent's high home board points are being closed out.