Winning Backgammon: Chance or Strategy?

For awhile, there was a debate on whether Backgammon is a game of luck or a game of strategy. Perhaps the best answer to this is that it is both a game of luck and a game that requires the player's skills and strategy.

In fact, Backgammon has been likened to a game of chess where the player needs his analytical skills, game strategies and a little bit of luck to win against his opponent.

While the game may seem easy enough, besting out your opponent may not be as easy as you think. You have to read how his mind works to anticipate his next moves. For beginners, Backgammon rules could be a little confusing but once you get the hang of it, your next challenge is to simply beat your opponents.

Before joining any Backgammon tables, online or in live casinos, practice playing simulated games first that can be found on the internet. This way, you will learn how to strategize and manipulate your opponents' movements to favor you.

Learning how to psych your opponent into playing in the direction you want the game to go is one of the best analytical skills you can use in Backgammon. Your best option at this point, is to read up all you can about the game, watch others play and make your own assumptions as you go along.

As in anything, finding the perfect formula is a hit and miss kind of thing and in Backgammon, using your strategies and skills to find out which ones are the perfect combinations is a must.

Now, if you want to play online Backgammon, there are legitimate sites that offer real games and have cash incentives that are quite rewarding, especially if you just beat a really difficult challenger.

As a rule in any internet activity you will be doing, make sure that your gaming site is legal and safe - meaning your data cannot be hacked, and your IP address will not be sold to a third party marketing agent.

Also, it is best to start at low-stakes games until such time when you have mastered the game and are confident that you can win in the big wager games.

Once you've verified that your online Backgammon operator is legit, and you've learned everything you can about the game, your last challenge will be to prove to yourself whether Backgammon really is a game of strategy and skills; not luck.