Luck vs skill: backgammon strategy for beginners

Is backgammon a game of luck or skill?

It is both, but in different ways.

The dice have a huge influence on what happens in any individual game. A great roll can completely change a position, while a string of bad rolls can leave even a strong player struggling.

But the dice don’t decide which move you make.

That’s where skill comes in.

Over a single game, luck can have a big say in the result. Over many games, good decisions become increasingly important. A strong player can’t control the dice, but they can consistently make better choices with the rolls they get.

That balance is what makes backgammon so interesting.

How much does luck matter in backgammon?

Quite a lot, especially in a single game.

Every turn starts with two random dice rolls, and some rolls are obviously better than others.

A lucky roll can rescue a difficult position. A bad roll can ruin a plan you thought was brilliant.

That doesn’t mean the outcome is completely random.

You still have choices. With the same roll, one player might make a strong move while another misses an opportunity or takes an unnecessary risk.

Luck determines the options you get. Skill determines how well you use them.

What makes someone good at backgammon?

Good backgammon players don’t try to predict the dice.

They focus on making the best decision with the roll they have.

That means thinking about things like:

• Risk: How likely are you to get hit?
• Position: Are your checkers in a strong position?
• Timing: Will your position still work a few turns from now?
• Safety: Should you play aggressively or protect your checkers?
• Your opponent: What are they trying to do, and how can you make it harder?

You don’t need to understand all of this immediately.

At first, just start noticing that every move has consequences.

5 simple backgammon strategies for beginners

1. Don’t leave checkers exposed without a reason

A checker sitting alone on a point is called a blot.

Your opponent can hit it and send it to the bar.

That doesn’t mean you should never leave a blot. Aggressive moves can be very useful.

Before leaving one exposed, ask yourself:

Is the risk worth it?

If you can make similar progress without exposing the checker, that might be the better move.

2. Build points instead of just running

Two or more checkers on the same point make it harder for your opponent to land there.

These are called made points.

Building strong points can protect your checkers and restrict your opponent’s movement.

Moving your checkers quickly isn’t always the goal.

Sometimes the best move is the one that makes the board more difficult for your opponent.

3. Think about your next turn

Beginners often look at the dice and ask:

“What can I move?”

A stronger question is:

“What position do I want to create?”

Your move changes what might be possible next turn.

Try to leave yourself useful options rather than getting trapped by your own position.

You don’t need to plan ten moves ahead. Just start thinking one move further.

4. Don’t panic when you roll badly

You will roll badly. The dice have no interest in your carefully constructed strategy.

When you get a bad roll, don’t assume the turn is lost. Look for the move that leaves you in the best position afterwards.

Backgammon rewards players who adapt.

5. Learn when to take a risk

Backgammon isn’t about avoiding risk completely.

Sometimes you need to leave a blot to make progress. Sometimes you need to run past your opponent before they can build a stronger position.

The trick is understanding why you’re taking the risk.

A risky move that improves your position can be a good move. A risky move because you didn’t notice the danger probably isn’t.

So, is backgammon mostly luck or skill?

It depends on how you look at it.

In one game, luck can play a very large role. A beginner can absolutely beat an expert with the help of favourable rolls.

Across many games, skill becomes much more important. Strong players consistently make better decisions, manage risk more effectively and take advantage of their opponents’ mistakes.

This is why backgammon can feel wildly unpredictable and still reward experience.

You can’t control the dice.

You can control what you do with them. And that’s the part you can get better at.

The best way to learn backgammon strategy

You can read about backgammon strategy for hours.

Or you can play.

On bearoff, you can practise against the computer while you’re learning the basics and trying out new strategies. Or start a game with a friend and learn together, one move at a time.

You’ll start to see patterns. You’ll also make plenty of terrible moves. That’s part of learning.

Roll the dice.

Make the best move you can.

See what happens.