Backgammon may be easy to learn, however is hard to perfect.

Pros are still training, still finding reliable methods to help them keep up with the game. Here are some tips they’ve learned along the way:

• Perfect your opening moves – The opening move is the most important, so make it a good one. With 3-1 you make a 5 point, which is one of the most important points to make. Any other 5-1 move will put your piece in risk of getting hit. Next there’s 6-1 which makes the 7 point. 4-2 is also extremely important because you don’t want to leave exposed blots. With a 6-5 you can run a back checker all the way.
• Distribution – When pieces are more evenly distributed, it’s easier to choose the best possible move from a large selection of alternatives.
• Exposure – Even though it’s a worrisome move to many, leaving shots is essential, according to experts. Leaving them earlier in the game involves less risk, however if you made many points in your home board early on, you can easily play more aggressively. Once ahead in the race, don’t expose any blots.
• Running Game – If good rolls came easy early in the game and you’re able to escape your back checkers, immediately launch a running game. It gives you an early advantage to move the pieces ahead as quickly as possible.
• Blocking Game – This is used mostly when your opponent has thrown better dice than you throughout the game. If your only hope of winning is keeping a few checkers back and waiting for a blot, build a prime which will trap your opponent. The move involves luck, but is worth it.
• The Race - Try not to get hit or blocked.
• Priming - Form 6 consecutive points of 2 or more checkers, thus blocking your opponent’s ability to pass.
• Holding/Backing game - Secure a point in your opponent’s home board and hit their checkers where the hit will affect them the most. Don’t use this strategy at the beginning, however, when behind it does improve your chances of turning the game around.
• Blitzing - concentrate on your home board trying to block it as fast as possible while your opponent has a checker on the bar.
• Hit! - Almost always try to hit the most advanced checkers of your opponent. However, you should always think if it’s advantageous before hitting.
• Anchoring – This is simply developing a defensive point in the opponent’s home board.
• Practice!