The backgammon game has enjoyed an international following for thousands of years. Children all over the world learn how to play backgammon at an early age, and games of backgammon can be found in schools, clubs and cafes across the globe. We may well wonder how a game that originated an estimated five thousand years ago has become such a world conqueror? Certainly the straightforward nature of the game’s objective – to be the first player in a position to remove (bear off) all their checkers from the board, and the easy to understand nature of the other backgammon rules, have been factors in its appeal since they ensure that players can learn to play backgammon faster than board games. Yet a game that is boring, even if it is easy to learn, is not going to become so popular. Therefore, the excitement backgammon generates and the demands for quick thinking it makes on participants are without doubt much more important factors in explaining its spread.

People brought up in the age of the internet and computers might come to the conclusion that Internet backgammon has been the prime factor in making the game into an international favorite. The fact is that backgammon was being taken from country to country thousand of years before backgammon online was ever dreamed about. The Romans played a significant role in carrying the game from the areas of Iran and Iraq where it originated to the many other lands that formed part of the Roman Empire. It is also interesting to note that backgammon gambling was also a very important feature of the game in this early stage of its history. The Roman version of backgammon was called “Tabula” and it was only played for money, with a number of famous Romans, including Emperor Claudius ranking among the enthusiastic players. It was not exactly the same as the game commonly played today. For example, Roman players needed to enter all their checkers to the board from square 1 and they had to be moved in an anti-clockwise direction. In addition, they threw three, instead of the two dice commonly used today, and up to three checkers could be moved according to the results of this throw.

As backgammon traveled from country to country, additional local variations of the game developed. For instance, Tavla, the Turkish version of backgammon shares much in common with the most commonly played backgammon game, but there is no doubling cube nor cup for throwing the dice – the dice are flicked against the wooden side of the Tavla board.

The unique contribution of online backgammon with its free backgammon software downloads has been to give access to broaden access to the game beyond what was possible in pre-Internet days. Although international backgammon competitions have been in existence for a number of years, the regularity and easy access to the tournaments offered online is a new development. Everyone who has a connection to the Internet can now download backgammon software and take part in international competitions.

Although backgammon may seem to be a game of chance since the moves of the pieces are made according to the outcome of the throw of the dice, experienced players know that to play backgammon competently you need a good understanding of strategy. With the large number of backgammon clubs in existence, the extensive literature explaining how to play backgammon to a high level, and all the learning opportunities available via the backgammon online sites, it is surprisingly easy to access information and practice sessions that will help you play backgammon at a skilled level. One of the biggest advantages to the series player of the free backgammon download are all the opportunities it provides to practice their play, against a tough online backgammon computer or in matches against one of the numerous other players who are drawn to Internet backgammon.

In order to play a good backgammon game there are a number of issues that the player should be able to easily handle. To start off with, they should not find themselves having to ask themselves, “What do the backgammon rules say I am allowed to do (or my opponent is allowed to do) in this particular situation.” Time spent learning these rules is well spent. Next, they need to decide on the principal elements of backgammon tactics that are going to be crucial to the success of their game. For example, since many games are lost in the early stages, it is vitally important to get off to start off on the right foot from the beginning. One good move maybe to block the two checkers the opponent has positioned in your home board. This “enemy” stronghold in your territory is important to neutralize, not least because it can be a significant obstacle in the closing stage of the game when you are trying to bear off, or remove your checkers to your home area.

Another element of strategy to consider is when to hit the opponent’s single checkers, or blots (to use the technical term). Some recommend doing this whenever the opportunity presents itself and you find yourself unsure of what move to make. Certainly it has advantages in that it puts the other player in a position when all the time they have to respond to your actions while their own strategy is neglected. On the other hand, a player needs to be extra careful they are not leaving their own blots undefended, and trying to avoid leaving single checkers exposed is a good policy to follow.

For the players interested in backgammon gambling, and that seems to be the great majority of players, learning when to offer and accept the doubling cube is vitally important. The offer of a doubling cube to your opponent and the increase in stakes that follows is an excellent proposition if you calculate a high probability of the game going in your favor, but miscalculations here can be very costly. Once again although reading certainly helps, practice is the true key to skilful play.

The backgammon board game brings together the elements of strategy and fortune in a winning combination. Success in mastering backgammon is not, as some people may mistakenly believe, largely dependent on the random outcome of a throw of the dice. Although in theory someone can play backgammon without having a good understanding of the game, yet seem to do well because the dice seems to be falling in their favor, the probabilities of such unearned success are mathematically remote. To progress from a novice to an expert player, and in particular to develop a winning backgammon strategy, you need to understand the backgammon setup and learn well the backgammon instructions, gain plenty of playing experience, and develop a good sense of your opponent’s nature. The way you play against an aggressive player should not be the same as how you play against an overly cautious player. Undeniably, the results of the dice throw have an impact, but the best players know how to turn what might seem to be an unfavorable result to their advantage.

Thus, in order to become a top player, you need to do your homework. There are many books that clearly explain the rules of the game and give useful tips on strategy. Also, you can turn to one of the many Internet backgammon sites and benefit from the backgammon game download that allows you to take on a computerized opponent at different skill levels, and brings you into contact with a rich range of fellow backgammon enthusiasts from many different countries. The free backgammon offering is a valuable tool for perfecting your skills, and it is a good idea to take full advantage of all the opportunities it provides.

Regardless of whether you start on the road to mastery of the backgammon board through the backgammon download, or through a backgammon club, the emphasis needs to be on learning the backgammon set up and acquiring proven tactics for taking control over the game. See what other, more experienced players do, and don’t be afraid to ask them to explain their moves – though this should be done after the game rather than while they are in the middle of the play. A number of the most valuable tips for enjoyable and successful backgammon play are equally applicable to many other areas of life. For example, a golden rule followed by backgammon winners is not to make hasty moves. Although you need to think ahead and if possible envisage what your opponent’s move is going to be before they make it, you also have to carefully consider not just the immediate move you make but how you are going to react to all the various scenarios that can follow on from this move.

While staying focused on the objective of being the first player to remove all your counters from the board – the winner – you are well advised to prepare a number of alternate strategies to putting yourself in this position. Thus, if the dice throw produces such a result, or if your opponent makes such a move, you will not need to panic to work out a response but will be able to immediately respond with a well-thought out move.