• Firstly, you should remember that Portes, Plakoto and Fevga are gambled with only one pair of dice that the participators share.
• Secondly, during the first game, all of the participators roll a dice and the gambler with the higher number starts the game. Then, the winner of the opening roll rolls two dices in order to begin his initial turn.
• Thirdly, following the first game, the winner of the preceding game gambles first.
• Fourthly, the victor of a Tavli game is the first player who carried off all of his checkers. He is also given one point. In the case that the winner carries off all of his checkers while his adversary has not carried off any of his, than he gets two points. Triple games are not practiced in Tavli.
• Fifthly, you should know that no doubling cube is used in this version of Backgammon.

Tavli is also known as a fastpaced game. In other words, instead of waiting for your opponent to pick up the dice here, you take it into your hands when the competitor makes his move. But at the same time you should not roll the dice too early. For example, you can do this while your adversary has a finger on one of his checkers. Remember that your roll will not count in case if you throw it before your adversary has completed making his move. Don’t forget about this rules while playing Tavli.

• It is possible to play backgammon like a series of games, with gamblers contending to gain a concrete amount of points in order to win. (Or the wiiner may be a gambler who has the most points when rhe game is over.)
• Each game opens with a value of just one point. The doubling cube is situated in the center of the Bar and is not managed by either gambler.
• When a gambler is sure that he has the advantage, that gambler can suggest a double before he rolls the dice. It is completely up to him.
• The opposing gambler has a rule to turn down the suggestion, but finishes (or loses) the game by this action.
• In case when the opposing gambler accepts the suggestion, the value of the game doubles (for example, from 2 to 4, from 8 to 16 and so on).
• When a gambler accepts a double, he manages the doubling cube and he is the only gambler who has a rule to make the next suggestion of a double.
• Some gamblers use ‘beavers’: when a gambler is doubled, he has a chance to redouble (beaver) at once while managing the cube. The original doubler may choose to accept or to turn down, as with a normal double.
• Some gamblers like to use ‘automatic doubling’that means that when the first roll is doubles, the value of the game reaches 2 points. The cube stays in the middle as well, so that no gambler can manage it.

You should also remember that although any doubling cube has a confined number of sides, from a technical side a single game will not have maximum point value. Secondly, if you want to play backgammon using doubling rules you don’t need a cube. A simple pencil and paper will do.

More experienced backgammon players may say famous Magriel’s release simply eliminates any need in other books as he’s very detailed and goes deep enough to cover tactics and strategy on a high level. Such statement is true, but I’d advise you to give Jacoby and Crawford a chance. This book will give much information to new players as it brings some very important details and is a great provider of what I call "backgammon thinking". In the Backgammon Book much space is devoted to game analysis that may not go very far, but it still provides details concerning many important parts of the game.

In this book you will find:

• Pip counting (evaluating racing chances basis)
• Introduction to probabilities (the way dices work)
• Chouette information and rules (quite outdated for modern play)
• Backgammon strategies overview
• Settlement strategy (even in case you never settle this chapter will bestill useful)
• Etiquette points (also worth reading)

Jacoby and Crawford’s book critics say the authors don’t go into complexchoices and situations, giving information about counting shots, bearing offor building primes. However, not all "deep" books are useful for allplayers. For example, Cooke’s Paradoxes & Probabilities can truly wreck yourgame as the way author treats positions and makes judgments is not alwaysright and definitely such gaming style won’t give you much success.

The bad thing about Jacoby and Crawford’s book is that it’s quite outdated in some situations like advices concerning opening rolls. Regardless of that fact any reader will successfully learn a vocabulary for the game and develop the "sense" of the game and its aspects. Once again, this book may not be very much needed for experienced backgammon players, but newbies ought to give it a chance. After having read The Backgammon Book, you can go to more sophisticated issues like Dwek’s BG for Profit or Magriel’s books.

Don’t despond because you are not alone. It is known that backgammon terminology really can be so confusing, that a lot of new  players don’t know haw to behave themselves when they hear some words.

In this article we are going to present you some of the most common terms which are used in backgammon and explain what they mean. You should read this article attantively and when you will play the next backgammon game you will know everything about it’s terminology. Let’s begin!

Anchor - 2 and more chips which occupy any point within the internal board of the adversary.

Joker - A successful roll which may affect the game’s outcome in a gambler’s favor.

Pip Count - This mean the points in which a gambler is demanded to take in order to being carrying off. When a game begins, each gambler has 167 as his pip count. This stands for:

- Point 24 - 2 chips= 48 pips
- Point 13 - 5 chips = 65 pips
- Point 8 - 3 chips - 24 pips
- Point 6 - 5 chips - 30 pips

For a pip count of 167 each.

Point - There are 24 points in backgammon game. This term doesn’t mean the score by any means, but this is the triangles that denote the spaces. Of course, this very term can be used while scoring and in terms which determine how many points or wins the game is worth. For instance, if a gambler wins a single game, it may be worth one point, “gammon” is equal two points or a double game, and Backgammon is equal three points or a triple game.

Single Game - A game won by carrying off all chips before the adversary, when the adversary is carrying off as well.

Gammon - A game won by carrying off all chips before the adversary, when the adversary has not begun carrying off.

Backgammon - The title of the game, like a win. This win happens when a gambler carries off all chips before the adversary and the adversary has not begun to carry off, and the adversary has a blot on the bar.

Bear off - This is the deed of taking backgammon chips away of the board.

Blot - A single backgammon chip sensitive to onsets by the adversary.

Hit - To assail the blot of an adversary, the blot is then put on the center bar of the board.

Hit and Cover - You not just assail the blot of your adversary, but you also proceed moving that same chip, in order to defend the blot you would have otherwise left exposed.

Of course, we have listed just a small part of all the terms that may be used in backgammon terminology. But this 11 terms are those which used very commonly in backgammon game. If you want to master this game then read the article attentively ones more and for sure you will talk and play as a true professional.

Then go towards the center of your board and leave there three triangles without any counters. The next thing to do is to put three white counters opposite to three black counters’, leave one more triangle blank (it will b already on the center) and place five more white counters opposite to black ones. The last thing to do is to put the last two black counters to the left hand side triangle, the one nearest to you and add two last white counters just opposite to them. After this your back gammon starting hand is ready for play.

The beginning of the game is crucial for backgammon. First few moves can affect whole game. Don’t hurry up and study all options before you take dices and roll them.

Nowadays, when gambling online seems to be an essential thing for many players, there’s no vital need in learning how to make starting position as you can always try to play this wonderful game online. However, this doesn’t mean you can forget about such things as forming your plan to the game, learning how to determine right moves and creating overall game strategy. These decisions can be made only basing on starting position, so it’s recommended to keep it in memory.

In fact every match or game I play online I use Snowie that helps me to see the errors I’ve made. In spite of the fact that, I am a highly-ranked player, I often play with some errors. I look to learn what the error is and I attempt to understand why my play is wrong. Moreover, I try to remember my mistake and the rule how to avoid the same arror in the future. In the case when I can’t understand what in my play is wrong, I roll out the position, and if I’m still wrong, then I resort to the help of one of the best players in the world. I send a copy of it to him and ask to clarify why I am wrong.

I have been doing this for about 10 years, and despite the fact that I work hard and I am a clever man, I can’t bring my play to perfection. So, it means that there is much to know and learn about this game for me and for everybody. Even the most intelligent person should proceed work and study in order to improve the play.

I consider that Simborg’s Blunders will also rouse Advanced Players’ interest because these tougher positions and plays not only nonplused me, they confused many of the best players in the world. So you should learn from them as well. It won’t be difficult for you to find Simborg’s Blunders.

Advanced players can improve their game greatly with the aid of live tournaments and by playing against other highly-ranked players in the Open and Advanced Divisions. If you are not located in a place that is opportune for you to make live events, than as an alternative, you can find online play challenging only if you challenge yourself and use Snowie running your matches through it. I advise you to choose just those sites that permit you to save your game log and download to Snowie. You can choose among Gammon Empire, Play 65, Gamesgrid, True Money games.

Everything that I’ve said above I can sum up with the help of the next saying: “You don’t know what you don’t know.” If you want to make yourself and your play better, you should obligatory read, you should ask questions, and you should be very attentive. Only then you will manage to improve your backgammon strategy!

A typical backgammon set includes the following: 30 backgammon pieces (15 pieces of each color), 24 triangles, and 2 dices. Every player takes 15 pieces of one color, the ones he/she will have to remove to win the game. By rolling dices players find out how they will move their pieces.

If you want not just play backgammon, but win, the following list of advices may be interesting for you. These hints are not difficult to get, but keeping them in mind can be truly helpful during the game.

- If you feel you’re losing, there’s one universal solution to get things back on track. Make a hit on a board. Arrange all your checkers wisely on a board and prepare for the moment when the checkers of another player will reach the bar;

- Note the 4th and 5th points are the most important sides on the board on both sides. Try to control them in order to overcome your opponent. As other player may also want to hold these points, try to fight for them in early stages of backgammon to benefit in middle and late parts of the game;

- When points 4 and 5 are already taken, pay your attention at 7th one. Even though it won’t benefit you as much as previous two, it’s another little step to your win;

- Now let’s throw a light upon your optimal strategy in backgammon depending on your position in the game. If you’re steadily losing, try not to move all your pieces to home board, but to bear checkers off. In case you win you should move your checkers as fast as you can in order to have them in home board. Watch your opponent as well and don’t let him hit your pieces;

- Now let’s imagine you play against anchor. What should you do? The most reasonable strategy here will be arranging all your checkers on the board, preferably on high numbers, so if during the game you get double high numbers, you can use this opportunity to win;

- There are some situations when we need to play loose. If you feel the time has come, don’t do this at your own side of the board, use the opponent’s one instead. You can act not very successfully and thus in case you play on your side, you’ll lose a blot that’s really worse then being hit on opponent’s side;

- Your psychological is important. Do not get upset if you’re losing. Try to fight each game till the end. A way of thinking like: “Every game is crucial and if I win right now, I will win whole match” can benefit you a lot. Try to have a strategy in your mind. Backgammon is not just about throwing dices;

- Try to be unpredictable for your opponent. Do not stick to one gaming strategy. Consider the amount of risk you’re going to take and find another solution in case the risk is too high. Being reckless all the time in backgammon is definitely not the best idea;

- If you lose and need to stop your opponent, anchoring is the best strategy to apply as in this case you not only can slow down the opponent, but also improve your position;

- When match play comes and you’re just 2 points away, the best solution is not in using doubling cube, but in going for a gammon;

- And remember – even though dices are involved in backgammon, adding a portion of luck to the game process, backgammon requires skill as well. This means good player will always overcome lucky player! Certainly, skillful game means taking some risky decisions. Don’t be afraid of them! Being safe all the time can play a bad trick to you.

It is impossible to become a great player in a short space of time. Everything that you need now is learning and practicing.

You may read a list of 27 essential Backgammon Promptings that are listed below. Undoubtedly they will help you to improve your performance in this game. These are general backgammon advice to consider in general situations. Moreover, if you have backgammon tips that are not presented in this list, then you may email us and we will be glad to add your notes. We hope that these Backgammon Tips will help you to improve your backgammon game expreince. All the tips given below are equally important.

1. If a backgammon adversary makes an advanced anchor then you should obviously make one yourself. Your adversary can now afford to make audacious plays which could really make you act on the defensive.
2. If you are already considerably behind in the race it does’t mean that you don’t have opportunities to fall further behind. When you are way behind in the race then you get a chance to upgrade your timing to be hit again giving you a better backgame or elude crunching your board.
3. If you ahead in the race then you should race. In the situation when you are ahead you need to break the contact and rely on your racing advantage.
4. There is no sense to leave an anchor or a holding point if you are behind in a race. Waiting for that shot may be your single opportunity to win.
5. When you have some doubt in your next actions then hit. In most situations hitting gives precedence especially on your adversaries side of the board when it makes a bigger difference in the race. Your adversary may dance.
6. If you are behind in the race and waiting for a shot then it is time for sloting and building the points in your home board.
7. Remember that you should slot to extend primes, including such important as 6pt primes since there are less checkers to work with you have in your disposal. The exclusion would be if you venture being put behind a prime yourself.
8. In case of a double, for every two gammons you suppose you’ll lose, you need to win one more game to make it up. Diversify with match score.
9. When considering a double, you should be capable to win a quarter of the games. If the risk of a gammon is little then it is better to break even. Diversify with match score (be enterprising when behind and be conservative when ahead).
10. If you attempt to save a gammon, then bear into the 6pt, and make crossovers where it is possible. On last roll situations you should make the play which lets you more chancec save gammon.
11. In prime vs. prime situations it is better to create plays which don’t let you play high numbers on the next roll.
12. Start to fight for equality at once since the beginning of the game. Try to seize your 5pt and 4pts on both sides of the board.
13. When considering doubling while on the bar, we advice you to certain that you have earnest market losers, you may dance.
14. If you are in a doubt then lock up abiding assets. Of course it is better to make a key point than is a loose hit.
15. Don’t try to smooth your dispensing by filling holes when bearing off. It more reasonably to use all your numbers to take checkers off.
16. When you are 2 pts away don’t turn an early cube. It is better to try for the indubitable gammon.
17. Keep your equanimity at the time of great moments of luck in a game. Regard each position as a new one. Never consider it as the one you used to have.
18. When considering plays, try and copy your adversaries constructive numbers.
19. If the probability of getting a gammon is about 50% then bear off enterprisingly. If it is very probable or improbable, play it safe.
20. Remember that loose 6’s are better played on your adversaries side of the board. Never venture getting hit on your own side of the board. You should try and avoid or go for an anchor.
21. In a situation when you already have several of your adversaries checkers back, it is better to reinforce a prime than to send more back which may result in a better backgame or better timing for them.
22. When in a backgame you should recirculate your checkers. Getting hit will better your timing and help you to elude crunching your board.
23. When in a backgame you should consider all your adversaries rolls and make shots by opening up points and enlarge your probability of hitting.
24. It is recommended to keep an even amount of checkers on your highest points when bearing off against an anchor to elude leaving shots when you roll high doubles.
25. As a common rule, if you have less checkers left and less pips in a bearoff then you have a sound double.
26. If you have an alternative between hitting a checker on your adversaries side of the board or make a point on your own side, then our advice is to hit.
27. Your barpoint (7pt.) is useful but if you have an option, it is much better to make your 5pt. or 4pt.

When you play backgammon in casino or with your friends, you roll dices yourself and there’s no way you can tell what numbers will be shown. If you play backgammon online, you don’t roll dices as system makes it for you. All you see is the result of the throw, so make sure you play in a respective casino there results of dice throws are based on complex mathematic algorithms and thus are fair. You can play backgammon online safely in case the site has own random number generator that is monitored by independent auditor.

This randomness of dices should make you understand the game better as you understand the chance of throwing a particular combination in case of making a risky decision. Each dice throw (throwing two dices at the same time) can give you one of 36 possible combinations. Using a theory of probability you can choose, what move will be less risky for you while thinking of moves that can, for example, leave a blot and 1 or 9 points away from your opponent.

Let’s imagine your opponent gets any combination containing 1 to hit a blot. We can count the probability for that. Except the 1-1 combination, 1 can appear 10 more times (1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6 for the first dice and 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1 for the second). It means in 11 of 36 possible rolls your opponent can get 1.

At the same time there are not so many dice rolls that can give you 9 points in sum. These are just 3-6, 6-3 and 5-4, 4-5. Easy calculation shows you can get 9 points only in 4 rolls from 36 and that is not much at all, so you can make decisions based on such roll probabilities and choose the most reasonable and less risky one.

Also you might have noticed from the previous example that the probability of hitting a particular number under 6 is much higher than hitting a combination above six. By the way, hitting six is not difficult as in addition to single six dice (already 11 rolls out of 36) you can hit 6 with 3-3, 4-2, 2-4, 5-1 and 1-5! That is just another 5 rolls, so you can hit six in 16 rolls from 36 (that’s more than 1/3 of rolls).

If you are a newbie, you can always find yourself a great tutor using fantastic 3d Play65 program; then you can practice various game types like single, swing, series, etc. After gaining some skills and experience you many try playing real money games, but in true not everyone enjoys playing against one person at a time for money. If you feel that simple money game with one opponent is not something you’re looking for, pay your attention to online tournaments.

The freeroll – one of the best backgammon tournaments on Internet

The freeroll is simply one of the best and most popular tournaments available online. First let’s make a short dive into theory. If you have an experience of participating in tournaments, you surely know how things are doing, but if you are new to this sphere of game, you might feel somewhat confused.

So, online tournaments are a development on simple online backgammon software. Here you play against 3 and more opponents (in true, you can play against hundreds of opponents, depending on a tournament size), so potentially tournaments are extremely profitable. All tournaments can be played in several ways: regular, special, satellite and others. However, you need to pay money to participate in such tournament. If you don’t feel you’re skilled enough to win and don’t want to lose your money, the freeroll is your choice.

You don’t need to pay the entry fee to participate in freeroll, but at the same time you can win some money! When you play money games, you get reward points or stars for each game you’ve played. After you’ve accumulated enough stars, you can use them to “buy” participation in such freeroll tournament. If you are skilled enough and manage to occupy one of first places, not only you get excitement and good mood, but also very nice reward of $10-$40.

Freeroll tournaments are simply the best way to check your skills and understand whether you are ready for a big game or no. Only in freerolls you can play against pros without risk of losing money, learn new strategies and receive important experience.