Backgammon strategy: seven habits

You don't need to memorise much to win more games. These seven habits cover most of what separates a beginner from a solid club player.

Illustration: a tavla game in progress beside a glass of tea, a player's hand resting by the board.

1. Make your 5-point

Your 5-point is the most valuable point to own early: it blocks your opponent's back checkers and is a safe landing spot for yours. With 3-1 in the opening, make it at once (8/5 6/5).

White owns the 5-point. Red's back checkers now have fewer places to land.

2. Don't stack checkers

Five or six checkers on one point do little. Spread them as builders a few points in front of the points you want to make, so more rolls make a new point next turn.

3. Leave fewer shots

A blot is in danger if an opposing checker can reach it. A blot 6 pips away can be hit by 17 of the 36 rolls (47%) if nothing is in the way; further than 6 away, only combinations reach it, so the risk drops sharply. When you must leave a blot, leave it far away or where a hit costs you little.

A lone white checker on the 11-point. Red's back checkers are 10 pips away, so only a combination roll (here just 6-4) can hit it.

4. Build a prime

Points in a row form a wall. Six in a row, a full prime, cannot be jumped: a checker behind it is stuck until the wall breaks.

A full prime from the 9-point to the 4-point. The red checker behind it can't escape.

5. Hold an anchor when you're behind

Two checkers on a point in your opponent's home board (an anchor) can't be hit and give your other checkers somewhere to land. The deeper points (their 4 and 5 points) are the most useful.

Red's anchor on white's 5-point: safe, and hard for white to attack.

6. Count the race before you decide

If you're ahead in pips, simplify: get past your opponent and race. If you're behind, keep contact and look for a shot. A quick pip count tells you which plan fits.

7. Play good opening moves

The first move sets the tone. Learn the best play for each roll from the opening chart; it takes an evening and pays off every game.

Tavla is the same, with one twist

Under Turkish rules a mars (gammon) is 2 points but there is no 3-point win, and there is no cube. That makes gammons a little less important to chase than in money backgammon, so safe, steady play is worth even more.

Questions people ask

What is the most important point in backgammon?

Your 5-point. It blocks the opponent and gives you a safe landing spot.

Should I always hit?

Often, but not always. Hitting sends the checker back and gains you pips, but a hit that leaves you badly exposed can cost more than it gains.

How can I improve quickly?

Learn the opening moves, count the race when unsure, and review your games to see your biggest mistakes.

By TavlArena. Updated: 25 October 2026