Backgammon Board Game vs. Online Backgammon
Arguably the most popular board game on the planet, backgammon is also one of the oldest games in the world. It is believed that the earliest game versions originated in ancient Egypt and Rome. Today the game has spread globally and is enjoyed year-round by young and old alike. The game itself has evolved with the times as well. What started out as strictly a board game between two competing players has now become an international online hit. Million of people join the action each day to play the game on the Internet, where you can also sign up for a backgammon tournament or play for real money and prizes.
If you’re worried that you won’t know how to play the game online, have no fear since the basics of the game are the same online or offline. This means that once you learn the basic rules for one version of the game you will be able to play backgammon in any form. The fun part of the game is developing your own set of strategies to beat your opponent. Contrary to some claims, backgammon is not merely a game of chance left to the roll of the dice. Once you know the rules of backgammon, you can start developing your own set of skills and secret plays by which to win the game. Check out the library, which is full of books on how to play the oldest board game known to mankind, Another excellent source is the Internet, which is teeming with websites that explain how do you play backgammon, offer advanced tips and strategies, and let you play free backgammon and hone your skills.
To begin, you will have to learn how to set up the backgammon board. The board consists of two halves which are a mirror reflection of each other. Each side contains 12 triangles in alternating colors. Each player sets up his 15 men at specific points along these triangles, with the opponent’s men set up directly opposite.
In a nutshell, the object of the game is move all your men (or checker pieces) from one end of the game board to your home board on the other end. Then all your men must be removed from the board before your opponent does the same on his side. How far your men progress each turn is determined by the roll of a pair of dice, although if you roll doubles you get to quadruple that number. The catch is that if any of your men stand alone on the board and your opponent lands on the same triangle, your piece can get bumped off the board. You then have to wait for the right dice roll to resume play. Of course there are many more bits and tricks to learn, but once you know enough to get started you can pick up the rest as you play and begin to sharpen your skills. Whether you play backgammon online or the traditional way, the first player to remove all of his men from the board is declared the winner.
Finally, here is a small tutorial on backgammon jargon. If you remove all your men from the board and your opponent has yet to remove any pieces, you win the gammon. If all your men have been removed before your opponent’s men have reached their home zone, you win the backgammon.