How to Play Expert Backgammon

Race ahead and don't stop if you have an advantage. If your checkers are ahead of your opponents, you are in a break situation. Do not hesitate once you decide you are going to race to the win. Second-guessing yourself and deciding to build a point in order to stop your opponent will almost always lead to defeat.

Don't give up your defensive points if your opponent decides to race for the finish and you are behind. Hoping that the dice will come up with doubles that will help you catch up is folly. Instead, keep your base points covered because this is your only realistic chance of stopping your opponent from winning.

Make an advanced anchor (establish a position point) on your opponent's half of the board whenever you can. If you can establish a position when you are in the offensive zone, you can control both halves of the board with little trouble. Don't give up this anchor until you are in a position to bear off (take checkers off the board).

Do not get upset during changes of momentum in the game. If you had a big lead and your opponent has come through with a series of doubles, don't curse your fate and think what might have been. Only consider the position you have at the moment and play for the present, not the past or future.

Take all your checkers off the board as quickly as possible when bearing off. Do not attempt to fill gaps in order to give you a better chance at removing two at a time in future rolls. The best strategy is to take as many checkers off with each roll as possible.