The origins of backgammon are not entirely clear although it is generally accepted that the game is in the region of 5000 years old. Thought to have probably originated in Ancient Greece, Persia or even Ancient Egypt, it continues to be popular around the world as a game requiring strategy, clear thinking and a certain degree of ruthlessness. There is an argument made by some that the same level of psychological analysis and understanding of your opponent is needed to succeed in backgammon as in poker, although others dispute this, primarily on the basis that backgammon does not make any use of bluffing. Nevertheless, high levels of concentration and the ability to think several moves ahead are vital to backgammon success.
Backgammon is a game of skill that involves a player moving their 15 pieces, known as checkers, from their pre-determined starting places around the board anti-clockwise and removing them (known as bearing off) before their opponent can do the same. The board is divided into 24 sections (or points), 12 on each side.
The number of points a player can move is determined by rolling two dice (the numbers shown are referred to as pips). Each player has their own territory, known as their home board, and backgammon strategy involves being able to get your checkers as quickly as possible to your home board so that you can bear off. If a double is rolled, the number of moves a player can make is likewise doubled (e.g., a double 4 means that instead of moving two checkers 4x points, four checkers can be moved 4x points, etc.)
A checker cannot be moved onto a point occupied by 2 or more of an opponent’s pieces; however, if only a single piece is in place it can be removed if the opposing player lands on that point. When this happens, the piece is removed to the centre bar and has to re-enter play in the opponent’s home board after they roll the dice for their turn. If there are no vacant points, the checker in the bar cannot come back into the game and that turn is therefore forfeited. Backgammon strategy involves hitting an opponent’s checkers so that they are sent to the bar, thus slowing down their overall progress, as well as ensuring that no points have only single checkers on them, which reduces an opponent’s options to move and likewise halts their progress around the board.
A gammon is when a player has been able to bear off all 15 fifteen of their checkers before their opponent has been able to bear off any. In this case, the winner is awarded double points for the win. A backgammon is where the above occurs but the losing player also has checkers remaining on the opponent’s home board. In a victory by backgammon, triple points are awarded.
The doubling cube is an added element that enhances the gambling side of backgammon. It enables a player, at any point of the game where they feel confident of winning to double the points or stake being played for. In this scenario, the opponent has the choice of either accepting or declining; if they do the latter, the game is forfeited. However, if a player accepts the double, they assume control of the doubling cube and have the option, again at any time during the game, of doubling the stake further themselves. This can continue up to 6 times, or an increase in the stake of 64x.
All of these factors combined mean that backgammon is a fast-moving game where who is ahead at any one time can change rapidly, and which requires the ability both to form strategy and to respond to an opponent’s moves. It is vital to be able to think several moves ahead.
Backgammon as played in an online casino operates on these same rules and principles, including the board layout, the number of checkers and dice, and the rule regarding doubling your moves when a double is rolled on the dice. The most significant difference, and one that is extremely useful for beginners or those learning the game, is that after the dice have been rolled the board will indicate which moves are possible – the checkers than can be moved are highlighted, as are the possible points to which they can be moved (including points occupied by an opponent that can be hit.) Online versions of the game will also have the doubling cube as an optional part of the game.
There are several options when you want to play backgammon online for real money. Players can choose to enter a backgammon online tournament, of which there are two main types: sit ’n go and regular tournaments.
An online backgammon sit ’n go tournament operates on the same principle as it might in a poker room; at any time, you can take a ‘seat’ at a virtual table and as soon as there is a sufficient number of players, the tournament begins. These are usually fairly quick affairs with limited prize money but entry is very often low, or access provided as part of an online casino bonus.
Like poker rooms, online casinos that offer backgammon also have free roll tournaments with no entry fee and a small cash prize. These are a good way for new players to get the feel of the game and entry into these is often part of an online welcome bonus.
Regular tournaments are scheduled events where there is usually an entry fee but consequently much bigger prizes. They are usually multi-table tournaments with a knock-out element, with games being played for a single point (i.e., no additional points for a gammon or backgammon, and no use of the doubling cube, although the latter may be used in a head-to-head final). The number of winners who receive prizes will vary; sometimes it will be the winner only, while in larger tournaments place getters may also pick up a prize.
Alternatively, players who want to play real money backgammon online can opt for single games against one other player. A stake is agreed beforehand (i.e., you set up a table and declare the stake you want to play for, or join an existing one that matches that amount) and the winner takes all. The stake may be multiplied further if a gammon or backgammon victory is achieved (as above) or the doubling cube is used and comes into play.
An alternative to the single game is a match game, which is essentially a mini-tournament played between two players. The number of points needed to attain victory over a series of games is agreed at the outset. Gammons and backgammons will therefore feature, as will the doubling cube.
Like poker, backgammon in an online casino is not played against the House. Instead, the casino takes a rake (or commission) on every game played. This will vary from casino to casino and on the type of game being played, but the following are some useful guidelines.
In a single game, the rake on a small game (i.e., up to $20) is likely to be about 4% of the total winnings from the game. For a larger game up to around $100, you can expect a rake in the region of 3%. In single games where the winnings are over $100, the rake will usually fall to about 2%.
In match games, where additional points for doubling and gammons come into play, an online casino will take a base rake and then an additional percentage for each additional point the winner scores. This will usually be in the region of around 0.25% for each additional point won, but there will be a maximum commission taken depending on the size of the game. In a $20 or lower game, the commission will likely top out at 7%; in a game between $20 – $100 there will be a maximum rake of around 6%; for games over $100, you can expect the maximum rake to be 5%.
The most significant variation between online backgammon and land-based versions of the game is physical, in that (as described above) after rolling the dice the checkers that can moved are highlighted, as are the points they can be moved to. This is extremely useful for new and learning players, as it demonstrates how many options a player has on any one move, many of which the unskilled player may not be able to spot on their own.
In terms of the rules, scoring system and use of the doubling cube, playing backgammon in an online casino is the same as playing tournament or match games in any other environment.
For those who prefer games of skill over games of chance but nevertheless like to play for real money and use a betting strategy, backgammon is highly recommended. It’s not a common game in online casinos, although there are a number of choices for New Zealand players who are keen on the game. In particular, we recommend Ladbrokes and Money Gaming as a reputable backgammon online casino and for having the best range of tournaments, single games and match games.
