How to Play Backgammon on Club Pogo

Backgammon is a simple game to learn, but it takes a while to master. Many enthusiasts play games for money, some even online, but if you just want to play for fun and prize tokens, play backgammon on Club Pogo.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Go to the Club Pogo Web site at pogo.com. Backgammon is offered as a free game on the site, so you don't need to join Club Pogo to play.

2. Click on backgammon. You will be taken to the game page. You will initially have the ranking of beginner, and you should play in the beginner rooms unless you want to click on the "social" tab.

3. Click on "Play Now" to simply join a random player. If you do this, you will be playing by that player's rules. However, there aren't as many variables in backgammon as there are in other games.

4. Set your own rules by choosing a game room and finding an empty table. You will have to wait for another player to join you. Players may also ask to watch the game. If you want a specific player to join you, make the room private so you don't get several requests to play while you're waiting.

5. Roll the dice and move your checkers around the board from top right to bottom left, and then remove them. Try not to leave one checker in a position because you can be "hit" by the other player. You then will have to start over with that checker. Don't be so eager to hit your opponent that you leave your own checkers unprotected.

Tips & Warnings

• If you're interested in playing in an online tournament, chat with other players after entering a game room in which a tournament is taking place. Someone will tell you how to participate in the next tournament.
• Games can either be rated or unrated. Playing rated games can advance you to higher ranks, but because backgammon partly depends on luck, advancing is difficult.
• The yearly membership fee might be a bargain if you will spend several hours a week playing backgammon and other games. Your membership will renew every year unless you change your account information.
• Greet the other player briefly at the beginning of the game and say goodbye at the conclusion of the game. You do not have to chat with the player if you don't want to. Many players find chatting distracting.

Resources

• Learn the history, rules and etiquette of backgammon on Backgammon Galore