Despite being less popular than Chess, Backgammon can be more complicated and harder to play with a mathematical bent, due to the presence of the dice, adding a certain element of luck or probability to the normal skill and strategy factor. With chess, the ability to predict movements based on the number of moves ahead and the possible countermoves is within the realm of possibility, but in backgammon, predicting available moves based on the random results of a dice roll will require you to crunch numbers in your head that would send some computers reeling. However, there are certain equities in backgammon that you can consider analyzing to gain a certain amount of advantage.

First is pip counting. People who play backgammon on their computers already do this without knowing, since most backgammon software show you the available pip count somewhere in the screen. People who play offline using real backgammon boards don’t have this option they need to learn how to estimate or count pip counts in their head and as fast as possible. But since you’re reading this on the Internet, chances are you are using a backgammon computer program that shows the available pip count.

When you have the actual number of available pips, you can use it to your advantage by using it as a base to decide when or if you should play for maximum contact, or if you need to play defensively. For example, if a person is behind five pips while his opponent is on roll, said person should avoid touching the back checkers and use the rest to play aggressively.

Remember that the presence of the luck factor doesn’t make match equity in backgammon totally random. The trick is to wait for the probability factor to favor you and press it to your advantage. There are also non-random equities that you can use to your advantage if you take the time to memorize them, such as the equity gain from wins and the equity loss from losing (different from passing), which can be compared against each other to come up with basic match percentages.

Another technique you can use is counting the available shots, and estimating if you can afford to take stalling losses or if you need to play aggressively to make up for lost opportunities. Sometimes the number of shots available will determine the feasibility of risky plays versus potential gains.

Actually, randomness factor in backgammon means that a scientific approach is not a guarantee that you will win. No matter how hard you compute or how long it takes you to crunch numbers in your head, the truth of the matter is it’s still an estimate and there’s a certain chance that it won’t work. And doing too many calculations will prevent you from enjoying the game, which is unfair since backgammon, like any game, was designed to let people have fun and enjoy themselves. Unless you’re playing for a huge sum of money, try to not take it too seriously and just play to have fun.