Creating an Online Backgammon Village
BACKGAMMON > Page 1, 2, 3How can someone find other backgammon players in their area?
There's a number of ways. So far, we have a list of 29 backgammon clubs that have submitted their information to GammonVillage. They are searchable in our Clubs section by country. I have contacted about 125 worldwide and I expect many others will submit soon. That's one place to search. A person with an Internet connection can also ask about backgammon players available in their area by posting a message on our General Forum or at the backgammon newsgroup (rec.games.backgammon). There are also a number of sites on the Net that list clubs by city and country, three of these are linked from GammonVillage's Website section. Please tell us a little about the history of backgammon.
Some sources say backgammon is the oldest game in recorded history. A variation of the game was first played about 5,000 years ago by the same culture that invented the wheel and the world's first written language.
What are some basic strategy concepts that every backgammon player should know?
Questions or comments about backgammon? Post them on the Board Games Forum. Also, be sure to see How to Set Up a Backgammon Board, How to Use a Backgammon Doubling Cube, and the complete collection of Backgammon Board Games Subjects. |
If this fails, and your men get hit and your opponent is escaping, you need to start considering a back game. Where you want to be positioned in your opponent's house depends on his and your position, timing is everything.
On the other hand, when there is no backgame, the battle will take place in the outer board areas where mid game strategy is involved and the game can go either way from one roll to the next. It is always important to calculate the pip count and know when to race home or playing the holding game.
What are the best ways for players to improve their backgammon playing ability?
Read books, watch experts play or use software. Many of the world's top players connect and play on backgammon servers like Netgammon and GamesGrid. When they do play, you can go in and watch their match, follow their moves and learn by guessing how they will play. These servers also have exhibition matches with these players, where you watch them play and they comment on the strategy involved in their moves.
The best book is "Backgammon" by Paul Magriel. Although originally published in 1976, it is still today the most recommended book on the subject and is actually known as The Bible of Backgammon. There are many other books as well, especially any written by Bill Robertie.
Snowie and JellyFish are the two preferred programs for learning the game. There are various versions of these two. Both full versions provide excellent analysis of your matches, in some cases, even those you saved from a backgammon server on the Net. They also have certain editions that are either free or have free trial periods. MasterGammon by Goto Software in France is another good player. It is powered by the Snowie engine and is easy on the pocket.
I'm making the assumption that backgammon is your favorite board game. Do you ever have time to play other games?
GammonVillage keeps me very busy but sometimes at the end of the day when I am tired and I know sleep will come soon, I relax by playing Kyodai Mahjongg or I head over to Pogo.com for some free Keno.
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