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Resources

If you want to improve your game here are some essential resources. Because just playing is not enough to improve, you need to learn from your mistakes and research is one way to achieve that goal. Here are some of the resources that we use at Deluxe Backgammon.

Backgammon rules

Backgammon is a relatively simple game to learn. The complete rules of the game can be found in the posts below.

Rules.

Simple backgammon rules.

Is backgammon hard to learn?

Backgammon rules – FAQ.

Backgammon rules – more FAQ.

Link to simple backgammon rules.
Hoyle’s Backgammon Treatise.

History

Backgammon has been played for around five thousand years, you can read about the history of the game in the posts below:

History.

History by country.

Websites

There are plenty of websites online dedicated to backgammon. Below are some of our favourites.

The UK Backgammon Federation. The UK Backgammon Federation is the premier association that promotes the game in the UK. The website contains links and resources for the game of Backgammon.

Backgammon Galore. This is the finest website on the internet for all things related to backgammon.

Books

Read some of these books to improve your game.

Deluxe Backgammon E-book, How to play Backgammon. It covers everything that a beginner might need to know about backgammon. This includes backgammon rules, the setup, the opening moves, strategy, tactics plus much more. It is available for sale at Amazon for £1.99.

Deluxe  Backgammon E-book, Backgammon: The Opening Moves. The book is perfect for beginners and provides explanations of the best possible plays for all 15 opening moves in backgammon. It is available for sale at Amazon for £1.99.

Backgammon for Dummies. This is an excellent guide for backgammon novices. Please read the review of Backgammon for Dummies here.

Backgammon for Losers. This is another great guide for backgammon novices and intermediates. Please read the review of Backgammon for Losers here.

Backgammon for Serious Players. This is a brilliant book targeted at intermediate and advanced players. Please read the review of Backgammon for Serious Players here.

Backgammon for Winners. This is a well-written book that is a great introduction to backgammon for beginners. Please read the review of Backgammon for Winners here.

Backgammon. The classic backgammon book from 1976 by Paul Magriel. Widely considered to be the best backgammon book of all time. Read the review of Backgammon here.

Backgammon of Today. This is an interesting backgammon book from the 1930s. It was written by John Longacre and contains everything a beginner needs to know about backgammon. Read the review of Backgammon of Today here.

Backgammon in 20 minutes by Harold Thorne, 1930. It covers all the basics and would allow an absolute beginner to be able to play backgammon. True to its title, the book was read cover to cover in less than 20 minutes. Read the review of Backgammon in 20 minutes here.

Link to antique Gamage backgammon set.
Book-style backgammon set.

Probability

Understanding probability is a crucial skill in backgammon. You can learn more about probability in the posts below.

Probability.

A closer look at Backgammon Probability.

Backgammon cheat sheet.

Backgammon Glossary

Read our Backgammon Glossary here.

Playing Guides

Here at Deluxe Backgammon, we are definitely nothing more than intermediate players, but we are always researching ways to improve our game. Here are some basic guides for beginners that will help you get started and hopefully improve your chances of winning. Applying these principles has helped us improve our results against Backgammon Free, a recommended Android Backgammon mobile application. Use the information below to take your game to the next level.

Complete set of playing guides.

Strategy overview.

Basic tactics.

Link to backgammon set up.
Backgammon set up.

Software and Applications

There is a variety of programs available to improve your game. Below are some of the programs we have used.

Backgammon Free (Android). This is an excellent Android app that allows you to play Backgammon anywhere, anytime against human or CPU players. Please read the review of Backgammon Free here.

XG Mobile Backgammon (Android). This is a cut-down version of the eXtreme Gammon software for the PC. It provides detailed analysis and varying levels of play against CPU players. Please read the review of XG Mobile Backgammon here.

Udemy online course: Learn How to Play Backgammon in No Time At All.


2 Comments

  1. David T David T

    Hi there. which app do you recommend for ios? im a beginner.

    • Jason Jason

      Hi David,

      Backgammon Live Board Game is the highest rating (4.7) IOS Backgammon app which allows online play. Another option is Backgammon Free which supports both 1 player and 2 player gameplay. This allows you play offline against friends or test your backgammon skills against a computer opponent. Backgammon Free’s rating is 4.5. Both games are free. Hope this helps, Jason

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