Backgammon novices will be glad to know that some moves are considered must-dos.  Experts and artificial intelligence software programs have analyzed games to see what the best moves are to any given opening roll.

The most important point to make is what’s known as the golden point, which is your twenty-point and your opponent's five-point. This point will provide you with an excellent anchor and make your opponent’s life difficult when he wants to reenter from the bar. So an opening roll of 3-1 should make you smile. Opening rolls of 6-1 and 4-2 will allow you to make the 7 and 4 points.

Move two men from your midpoint, (the 13-point) when you roll 5-4, 4-3, 5-2, 5-3, or 3-2. Another possibility is with 3-2, 4-3, or 5-4, use one of the numbers to slot your opponent and with the other number move one man from your midpoint. A different possibility for 5-4 is to move one of the back men nine.

With a roll of 6-5, 6-4, 6-3, or 6-2, you should either move one back man using both numbers, or move one back man six and another from the midpoint. Experts disagree somewhat on what to do with 6-2, however; many would prefer to move a piece from the midpoint eight in order to slot the 5-point.

With 4-1, 2-1, 5-1, split the back men by moving one of them one point, and move a man from the midpoint using the other number; or play the one to slot the 5-point and move a man from your midpoint.

If your opponent has the first turn and you roll doubles on your first roll, here’s what you should do:

6-6: Make both bar points (your and your opponent's 7-points).

5-5: Move two men from your midpoint to your 3-point.

4-4: Move your back men to make your opponent's five-point as an anchor, then make your 9-point.

3-3: Move your back men once each to make your opponent's 4-point, then make your own 5-point.

2-2: Move your back checkers twice each to make your opponent's five-point as an anchor.

1-1: Make your 5- and 7-points.

You will certainly make your own mistakes, and learning is all about making mistakes. Remember that studying the masters will reduce your mistakes to a minimum, and help you develop the best possible backgammon strategy.