Backgammon, like any other game of chance, is a rather frustrating affair because people are often unable (or indeed too lazy) to make a clear distinction between the variables that they control, and those that they do not. There is a tendency, (albeit it restricted to novice players) to simply chalk everything down to luck, that all encompassing entity which can never be properly quantified, explained or reasoned with. “Luck” is a mediocre player’s get out card, an excuse to justify weak game play, lack of discipline and an unwillingness to commit fully to the game.

Amateur players regard each and every different game of backgammon as totally separate entities that seem to exist in some sort of vacuum, utterly separated from all the others. Whilst it is true that there will be differences between games of backgammon in terms of the combinations that are rolled on the dice, as well as the respective movements made by the players, it should be noted that there are patterns as well.

Put simply, backgammon is a game that relies heavily upon patterns and the more confident and proficient you are with them, the easier you will be able to secure the odds firmly in your favor!

Backgammon is, in theory at least, a very straightforward game, requiring little more of the players than to move their pips across the points of the board from the highest numbered point to the lowest numbered point. However, there are a variety of different strategies that the player can (and indeed should!) take advantage of, although it is equally important to note that the player should familiarise themselves with several different strategies so as to avoid falling into a rut. By falling into a set pattern (i.e. repeatedly using the same strategy without variation) you leave yourself exposed for your opponent to launch a counter-attack.

One of the most basic and yet, effective strategies (and one which is adopted with good cheer by amateurs as well as veterans alike!) is “anchoring”. As the name suggests, anchoring is whereby a player places a minimum of two of their pips on one of their opponents points, thereby denying the opponent free passage of their own pips. This serves a dual function in terms of both providing an effective offence as well as defence, not only does it significantly hamstring the opponent’s ability to move, but it also means that they cannot attack.