Complete Guide to How to Play Backgammon
In recent years, the world of Backgammon has expanded to include numerous online casinos. These platforms provide a thrilling environment for Canadian players to engage in online Backgammon gambling, all in a fair and regulated manner. With the rising popularity of real money Backgammon gambling online, more and more people are discovering the strategic depth and excitement that this game offers.
Unlike many other online casino games, Backgammon requires skill and strategy, reducing the reliance on sheer luck. Therefore the question "how to play backgammon" becomes crucial. It's a game where your decisions and moves can greatly influence the outcome, offering a more engaging and rewarding experience than games like online Slots or Roulette.
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How to Play Backgammon Online
The setup of the Backgammon board is as follows:
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Place two checkers on point 24.
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Put five checkers on point 13.
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Position three checkers on point 8.
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Finally, place five checkers on point 6.
For complete beginners in online Backgammon gambling, here is a step-by-step guide to getting started:
Each player rolls a single die. The player with the highest number goes first, and the total of both dice is the opening move. If the same numbers come up, the dice are rolled again until different numbers appear.
After the opening roll, players take turns rolling two dice together. The result ultimately establishes how many points, also known as "pips," the player can move their checkers forward.
Checkers can only be moved to points that are not occupied by two or more of the opponent's checkers. These are called open points. You can only move your checkers onto a point if it is completely free or has only one of your opponent's checkers.
In online Backgammon, available points for moving your checkers will be highlighted. You have different options based on the numbers you roll and the positioning of your opponent's checkers. Consider the following possibilities:
Move two checkers: If you roll a 4 and a 3, for example, you can move one checker four points and another checker three points to open points on the board. This allows you to strategically position your checkers across multiple points.
Move one checker to the combined total: When you roll a 4 and a 3, you can move one checker to a total of seven points. This move is possible if there is an intermediate point open that is either three or five points away from the starting point. It's important to consider this move as two separate moves, ensuring that both moves are legal within the game rules.
You can move your checkers onto a point if it meets one of the following conditions:
It already has one of your checkers.
It has no checkers.
It has only one of your opponent's checkers.
Here are a few additional important points to note:
When you roll double numbers in Backgammon, you have the opportunity to move each checker twice, resulting in a total of four moves for that turn. For instance, if you roll double 5s, you can make four moves of five points each.
It's important to note that players must utilize both numbers rolled on the dice. If only one number can be played, you are required to move a checker that corresponds to that number.
In cases where you have the option to play either number but not both together, you must choose the larger number for your move. However, if you cannot utilize either of the rolled numbers, unfortunately, you lose your turn.
In situations where you are unable to utilize the doubles number, you must make use of as many numbers as possible from the roll. This allows you to maximize your moves and progress your checkers on the board.
How to Play Backgammon: Hitting & Entering
No classic game such as Backgammon would be complete without a touch of rivalry. In Backgammon, if you find yourself on a point occupied by one of your opponent's checkers, you get the satisfaction of knocking it off the board and onto the bar.
To reintroduce that checker into the game, your opponent must roll the dice and move it back into an empty space within your home grid. During this time, they cannot move any other checkers until the knocked off checker is back in play. It's a moment of sweet revenge and strategic manoeuvring in the game of Backgammon.
How to Play Backgammon: Bearing Off
Once all your checkers have safely made it to your home board, you can begin the exciting process of bearing off. This involves removing your checkers from the board, one by one, as you roll numbers that match the points where your checkers are positioned.
For instance, if you roll a 5, you can bear off the checker that is currently sitting on point 5. However, if one of your checkers gets hit by your opponent while on your home board, you must bring that checker back into play before continuing to bear off.
The ultimate goal in Backgammon is to be the first player to successfully bear off all of your checkers from the board. It's a thrilling race to victory, where strategic moves and favourable dice rolls can determine the outcome. So, roll those dice and aim for a speedy bearing off to claim the well-deserved win!
Rules of Online Backgammon
Once all your checkers have reached your home board, it's time to embark on the exhilarating journey of bearing off. This exciting phase of the game involves systematically removing your checkers from the board, one by one, as you roll the dice and obtain numbers that correspond to the points where your checkers are positioned.
For example, if you roll a 5 and you have a checker on point 5, you can successfully bear it off the board. However, if one of your checkers is hit by your opponent while on your home board, you must first re-enter that checker into play before proceeding with the bearing off process.
The ultimate objective in Backgammon is to be the first player to skillfully bear off all your checkers from the board. This thrilling pursuit of victory combines strategic decision-making with the element of luck, as favourable dice rolls can greatly influence the outcome of the game. So, roll those dice with anticipation and aim for a swift and triumphant bearing off to secure a well-deserved win!
The Doubling Cube
In the world of online Backgammon gambling, players have the option to activate or deactivate the doubling cube before commencing the game. The doubling cube serves as an indicator of the stakes involved, and in some online Canadian casinos, it is represented by a marker.
In other Backgammon platforms, you will come across an actual cube, with each face marked with numbers 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64. In physical Backgammon games, this cube is used to determine the doubling of stakes.
It is important to note that your opponent has the right to refuse the double. In such a case, they will have to concede that point and the game will conclude. On the other hand, if your opponent accepts the double, they become the only one who can initiate the next doubling, known as a redouble. This process can continue, with each player taking turns to double the stakes, up to a maximum of 64 times, although such occurrences are quite rare.
How to Play Backgammon: Strategy
Now that you have a solid understanding of the objective of online Backgammon, which is to move your chequers into your home grid, it's time to explore different strategies that can give you an edge and slow down your opponent's progress.
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The Running Strategy
The running strategy involves the movement of cheques around the Backgammon board as quickly as possible toward the player’s home grid. This is a commonly used strategy, especially for beginners. The goal is to minimize opportunities for your opponent to knock your checkers off the board. While this strategy relies heavily on luck, it is straightforward and easy to implement, making it a popular choice for newcomers.
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Blockade Play Strategy
In the blockade play strategy, the main aim of the player is to create blockades by occupying different positions on the board with their own chequers. This obstructs your opponent's movement, forcing them to roll high numbers to bypass the blockade. By strategically blocking checkers that have a longer way to go, you can significantly slow down your opponent's progress while allowing your other checkers to move freely.
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Priming Strategy
The priming strategy involves creating a series of six consecutive blocked points on the board, with each point entailing at least two chequers. This forms a prime that your opponent cannot pass unless they roll extremely high numbers. While maintaining a prime for an extended period is challenging, doing so limits your opponent's options and forces them to stack their chequers in clusters in the centre, making it harder for them to move them back onto the board.
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Blitzing Strategy
Blitzing is an aggressive strategy where you aim to attack your opponent's vulnerable chequers. Instead of solely focusing on moving your chequers to the home grid, you target isolated chequers left unprotected by your opponent. By sending these checkers to the bar, you create delays for your opponent as they try to catch up. However, be cautious about being overly aggressive when your opponent's checkers are close to their home grid, as they won't have to move them far back in the game.
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The Holding & Back Backgammon Strategy
The holding game entails sticking to an anchor point, a single chequer, in your opponent's home grid. This provides a safe spot for your chequers in case they get knocked off the board. Players would need to strategically move this chequer via their opponent's home grid while they also must bear off their chequers. It's essential to be careful with this strategy to avoid getting trapped.
The back game strategy is generally employed when the player must keep at least two points in their opponent's home grid, even when it is occupied by more than one anchor. This tactic carries the risk of losing with a gammon or backgammon if you keep too many chequers in that part of the board. However, it can be an effective approach if your chequers are frequently knocked off, and it also frustrates your opponent by occupying prime space in their home grid.
How to Play Backgammon: Conclusion
When it comes to learning how to play Backgammon, there are important distinctions between playing in a casino and playing online. Opting for online Backgammon provides the advantage of practising in a calmer environment. Many Canadian online casinos offer the opportunity to play various RNG (Random Number Generator) online Backgammon games for free, allowing you to familiarise yourself with the dealing rules without any financial commitment.
However, when you feel prepared to make a real money deposit, it's essential to be well-informed about the different Backgammon variants covered in our guides here at CasinoRider.
How to Play Backgammon FAQ
Each player starts with 15 checkers, which are placed on the board according to a specific setup. Players take turns rolling dice and moving their checkers based on the numbers rolled. The movement of the checkers is determined by the numbers on the dice.
The basic rules of Backgammon involve moving your checkers according to the numbers rolled on the dice. You can move one or more checkers in accordance with the dice results, and you must always aim to advance your checkers toward your home board and bear them off as quickly as possible.
Bearing off in Backgammon refers to removing your checkers from the board once they have reached your home board. To bear off, you must roll a number that corresponds to an open point on your home board where a checker is located. You continue bearing off until all of your checkers have been removed from the board.
Yes, Backgammon is available to play online. Many online gaming platforms and casinos offer Backgammon games that you can play against other players or against computer opponents. Online Backgammon provides the convenience of playing anytime and anywhere, allowing you to enjoy the game at your own pace.
Backgammon is a combination of luck and skill. While the roll of the dice introduces an element of luck into the game, skilled players can strategically use their rolls to their advantage. Making the right decisions and applying effective strategies can greatly increase your chances of winning.
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