Scoring
Scoring in backgammon depends on the type of game you are playing. In general, points are awarded only at the compeletion of a game. How many points you are awarded depends on the state of the board at the time of completion. Games are won by a player bearing off (removing) all of their tokens from the board.
The Basics
A won game is a Single if the opposing player has managed to bear off at least one token. The winner gets either 1 point or the amount determined by the doubling die.
A won game is a Gammon if the opposing player has not managed to bear off a single token. The winner gets either 2 points or double the amount determined by the doubling die.
A won game is a Backgammon if the opposing player has not managed to get all of their checkers out of the winner's home board. The winner is awarded either 3 points or triple the amount determined by the doubling die.
Matches
Matches are a form of tournament play for backgammon. A match is a series of games played between two opponents to a specified number of points (usually odd). Points are awarded in a similar manner to single games, with one point for a game, two for a gammon, and three for a backgammon. The doubling cube is common in match play so that the number of points received by a winner is multiplied by the value of the doubling cube at the game's end.
Playing with the Doubling Die
The principle role of the doubling cube is to increase the stakes of a game. A player is allowed to double the stakes of a game only at the beginning of their turn. Doubling is not allowed on the first roll, or move, of the game and is disallowed in a matched game where the leader is within one point of winning the match.
The Doubling Die in Matches
In match play, there is a specific rule limiting the use of the doubling die, know as the Crawford Rule. The Crawford rule prohibits the use of the doubling die if the leading player in a match gets within one point of winning.
Strategies
There are 5 basic backgammon strategies:
- The Running Game Strategy
- The Holding Game Strategy
- The Priming Game Strategy
- The Backgammon Blitz
- The Two-Way Forward Game
- The Back Game
The Running Game
The goal of the Running Game is to get all your tokens into your inner board and bear them off as quickly as possible. You can consider this strategy if one of your first rolls is 5-6, or you are ahead in the pip count and you have got (or are about to get) all of your tokens past your opponents. In general if your opponent has a lower pip count than you, then a running game has little chance of success.
The Holding Game
The essential idea of the Holding Game strategy is to maintain a point in your control in your opponent's inner board or at the board point. This is often the best strategy when you are behind in the pip count. This conveys two distinct advantages: first, you may capture vulnerable bloats in your opponent's outer board; second, in the event one of your tokens is captured, you ensure that you have at least one available point when re-entering.
The Priming Game
The Priming Game is a special type of holding game that involves capturing a consecutive series of points (a "Prime") (ideally 6 points in a row, although 4 or 5 can be effective). The goal is tokens to block the movement of your opponent's tokens. Their tokens will remain trapped as long as you can maintain the prime.
If your opponent has built a prime, it is critical to get your tokens to where your can maximize the changes of their escape. If your opponent's prime is 5 points long, your goal would be to get to the front so you can escape with a 6.
The Backgammon Blitz
The Backgammon Blitz strategy is a direct attack on your opponent's tokens. The goal is to keep your opponent on the bar while moving your pieces into your inner board as quickly as possible. The ultimate goal of the blitz is to trap one or more of your opponent's tokens on the bar by occupying all 6 of the points in your inner board for as long as possible. Your chances of success are best, usually early in the game, when you capture one or more of your opponent's tokens and he stays on the bar.
The Two-Way Forward Game
The two-way forward game is a hybrid of the blitz and prime strategies. Here you will have built a rudimentary prime of 3 or 4 points, and then attack your opponent. You should avoid letting your opponent create an anchor in your home board.
The Back Game
The Back Game is achieved by controlling two (or more) points in your opponent's inner board. The main game objective is to hit a blot late in the game and contain it. It is a difficult strategy to play in backgammon because the chance of a successful Back Game is influenced by the luck of the dice roll. This is not typically a strategy you would aim for at the start of a game. Rather this is an approach you can follow when you get too far behind.