Some of the better players are very good at assessing equity in the position but as an inferior player then how should you go about playing a stronger opponent? Well firstly I do not think that you should be offering doubles very early in the game. The position in all likelihood would be too marginal and this would immediately lead to you losing control of the cube. It would also mean that your opponent could immediately double you back in a position that was marginal without being at a disadvantage.

If your opponent is aggressive and doubles you early in the game then you must stand your ground and take the double. The only exception to this is if your position is very bad after several fortunate rolls on behalf of your opponent or unfortunate rolls on your part. So controlling the cube against strong opposition is vital as is playing a solid game. If you try to open the position up without having the necessary skill to do so then a strong player will destroy you.

It is a far better strategy to keep the game tight even if it comes at the expense of a little fluidity in your position. At least you cannot get blown away by your opponent’s power play and you stand a good chance of gaining a win going into the middle game. In short match situations then aggressive players can and will often force you to take marginal doubles. Sometimes this is an effort to get back into the game quickly if they are behind. But if you play your moves solidly then you should not fear such tactics and a merely doubled cube isn’t something to fear when you have possession of it.

Carl “The Dean” Sampson can be found playing poker at www.pokerstars.co.uk

How to play these characters? There is something unnerving about a poker player who seems to be attacking every single pot. ‘How can he have a hand again’, you scream to yourself as he pushes all-in for the sixth time in ten minutes.

The most important thing you’ll need in playing these maniacs is position. Positional advantage gives you the huge capability of being able to watch what he does and act on it, rather than him acting on what you do.

As poker is all about percentages and likelihoods, once you have identified someone as a maniac player, you’ll just have to accept it if the player takes you out with a genuine hand. That’s the way the game goes sometimes.

If you approach these players with the following philosophy – that they are simply giving you more opportunities than most players do to acquire their whole stack – just wait for that premium hand to wipe them out.

With that premium hand, you should be able to take a maniac for all he’s worth. As always in poker, patience is the key to success. If you keep your head whilst everyone around you loses theirs, the game is there for the taking.

You can learn more about this issue over at Pokerstars.co.uk, a site I would thoroughly recommend.

But when I want to discuss strategy, I go to a friend who is a semi-pro.

At least in my eyes.

I asked him recently for some strategy tips: first thing he suggested was to try to establish anchors in your opponent’s home board.

Yeah, it is a  defensive strategy, but it gives you a safe landing place if you are hit and waiting to reenter.

My friend said, “Try to create anchors on the higher points (20 and 21).”

If you have enough checkers behind, keep two anchors next to each other.

You see, it’s often worthwhile to allow a blot to be hit in order to buy time and protect other valuable points, so the anchors will help you get these checkers back on the backgammon board quickly and painlessly.

Next time, more strategy.

Even I do it.

I always try to escape my runners first and  AFTER that concentrate on blocking my opponent.

But maybe there is a better strategy to play, one the experts suggest could lead to wins.

Why not revent the opponent from escaping with high numbers such as 6?

Perhaps at the expense of exposing blots.

This can be an effective strategy, since  most players first think about escaping and only then consider all other needs.

Once you prevent the opponent from escaping, he runs into a problem and changes his or her playing  strategy. You know, throwing them off their game.

Then you can start searching for an escape path from the opponent’s home board, even if it means exposing your runners.

The opponent will look to hit your checkers at any price, even at a liability to himself. The stress of being blocked will lead the opponent to make numerous mistakes.

What if you are trying to block the opponent at the expense of leaving distant blots, which are still hit.

The game is not lost.

If you have been hit more than twice, create two anchors on the opponent’s home board, even if it means creating shots for the opponent.

Sooner or later, I’m thinking, the opponent will leave blots, which will raise your chances of hitting his checkers and returning them to your home board, which by now should be strong.

Get it? I know it is a bit unusual. And it might even feel uncomfortable. But give it a try. Test run it.

And you just might be surprised by the results.

This means you can keep him busy with re-entering them.

Still this is not sufficient if do not start blocking the points on your home board.

OK. Get it?

This would pay off big time if your counterpart is kept with checkers on the bar until you start bearing off. This is then your game. 



It is a risky tactic.

Be forewarned. You might be blocked to make anchors in your home area, and the course of the game may go against you.

Also you may check if it is wise to risk being hit.

Warning: If your opponent has many anchors in his home area, blitz game strategy is not a wise thing to do.

Another hint: When playing online for real money you should know when to double. 



Blitz strategy can be bring a lot of cash to your pockets. Or, it can break your bank.