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[pagetitle Paul's Backgammon Basics - The Rules] [playername1 Red] [playername2 White] [horizl][povplr2][povclrw] [play][player1][title Introduction] [posID 14HPwATDgc/ABMA] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::0[/step] [step]dispstats::n[/step] [step]say::
BACKGAMMON BASICS
[/step] [step]setpos::1AAAAAAAAAAAAAA[/step] [step]clearmoved::[/step] [step]say::
Welcome to Backgammon Basics!
This introduction takes you through the rules of backgammon.
It's a fairly simple game, so it won't take long - then you can begin the lifelong process of learning how to play well!
Press 'Next' to start. [/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title The Board] [posID 1AAAAAAAAAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]dispstats::n[/step] [step]say::
THE BACKGAMMON BOARD
[/step] [step]setpos::1AAAAAAAAAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
The backgammon board contains 24 triangles, called 'points' (or 'pips').[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
From your point of view, they're numbered as shown here, from 24 to 1.[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
Your aim is to move pieces around the board like this (from higher to lower-numbered points), and eventually off into the side-tray.[/step] [step]setpos::1AAAAAAAAAQAAAA[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]move2::24/13 13/12 12/1 1/0[/step] [step]wait::1200[/step] [step]say::
Your opponent, meanwhile, is trying to do the same thing in the opposite direction. Your 1-point is their 24-point, and so on.[/step] [step]labels::1[/step] [step]setpos::2AAAAAAAAAQAAAA[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]move1::24/13 13/12 12/1 1/0[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Home Table] [posID 1AAAAAAAAAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]dispstats::n[/step] [step]say::
HOME AND OUTER TABLES
[/step] [step]say::
Points 1 to 6 are called your "home table".[/step] [step]setpos::1AAAAqgoAAAAAAA[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
Points 7 to 12 are called your "outer table" or "outfield".[/step] [step]setpos::1AAAAgKoCAAAAAA[/step] [step]wait::3000[/step] [step]say::
Points 13 to 18 are your opponent's outer table.[/step] [step]setpos::2AAAAgKoCAAAAAA[/step] [step]wait::3000[/step] [step]say::
Points 19 to 24 are your opponent's home table.[/step] [step]setpos::2AAAAqgoAAAAAAA[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
You'll see these terms used a lot in backgammon books and websites, so it's worth remembering them![/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Setting up] [posID 1AAAAAAAAAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]dispstats::n[/step] [step]say::
SETTING UP THE BOARD
[/step] [step]setpos::1AAAAAAAAAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
The starting board layout for backgammon isn't particularly logical, so it's best just to learn it by heart (you only have to learn half of it though!). Here goes:[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
Two of your pieces on your 24-point.[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move21::0/24[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move21::0/24[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
Five of your opponent's pieces on your 19-point.[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move11::0/6[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move11::0/6[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move11::0/6[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move11::0/6[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move11::0/6[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
Three of your opponent's on your 17-point.[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move11::0/8[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move11::0/8[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move11::0/8[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
And five of yours on your 13-point.[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move21::0/13[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move21::0/13[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move21::0/13[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move21::0/13[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move21::0/13[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
That's the first half done - now just create the opposite colour-scheme on the other half of the board...[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move11::0/13 0/13 0/13 0/13 0/13[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move21::0/8 0/8 0/8[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move21::0/6 0/6 0/6 0/6 0/6[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move11::0/24 0/24[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Making moves] [posID 1AAAAAAAAAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]clear::[/step] [step]dispstats::n[/step] [step]say::
MAKING MOVES
[/step] [step]setpos::14HPwATDgc/ABMA[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
To play a turn, you throw two dice.[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]dice::246[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
Each die gives you a move equal to the number of points shown. Moves are always played from higher to lower-numbered points - you can't move 'backwards'.[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
You can play your moves with two different pieces
(24/18 and 13/9 in this example).[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]move2::24/18 13/9[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]clearfrom::[/step] [step]setpos::14HPwATDgc/ABMA[/step] [step]say::
Or make two moves with the same piece
(24/18 and 18/14 in this example.)[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move2::24/18 18/14[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]clearfrom::[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Making moves - 2] [posID 1AAAAAAAAAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]clear::[/step] [step]dispstats::n[/step] [step]say::
MAKING MOVES
[/step] [step]setpos::14HPwATDgc/ABMA[/step] [step]dice::233[/step] [step]say::
If you throw a double, you get four moves.[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
You can use these in any combination of up to four pieces.[/step] [step]move2::24/21 21/18 18/15 13/10[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]setpos::14HPwATDgc/ABMA[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]move2::24/21 24/21 13/10 8/5[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]say::
Whatever moves you make, they must all be legal (see next step)...[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Legal moves] [posID 14HPwATDQZ+IBBg] [command steps] [steps] [step]clear::[/step] [step]dispstats::n[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
LEGAL MOVES
[/step] [step]setpos::2AAAgAw0AAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
To make a move, you must be able to legally land on the point you're moving to.
[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
You can land on a point if:
[/step] [step]wait::1500[/step] [step]say::
- It's empty.
[/step] [step]move2::24/21[/step] [step]wait::1500[/step] [step]setpos::2AAAgAw0AAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
- It's got one or more of your pieces on it.
(You can "stack" as many of your pieces as you like on a single point, although having more than six on a point is generally considered bad tactics.)
[/step] [step]move2::24/22 24/22[/step] [step]wait::1500[/step] [step]setpos::2AAAgAw0AAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
- It's got
just one
of your opponent's pieces on it.
[/step] [step]move2::24/20[/step] [step]say::
(When this happens it's called a 'hit', and your opponent's piece is moved to the bar in the middle of the board. More about the bar later.)[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Legal moves - 2] [posID 10AAAAAAAMgAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]clear::[/step] [step]dispstats::n[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
LEGAL MOVES
[/step] [step]setpos::2AACAARsAAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
You
can't
land on a point if:
[/step] [step]wait::1500[/step] [step]say::
- It has two or more of your opponent's pieces on it.[/step] [step]dice::256[/step] [step]say::
In this position, white can't move 5 or 6 from the 24-point, because the 19 and 18 points are covered by red.[/step] [step]wait::3000[/step] [step]say::
White can't use the two moves to play 24/13 with a single piece either, because each of the two moves has to be legal. So white can't play
24/19 19/13 (5 - 6)
or
24/18 18/13 (6 - 5)
because neither 24/19 nor 24/18 are legal.
[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Legal moves - 3] [posID 1YAMAAAAAMAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
LEGAL MOVES
[/step] [step]setpos::2AACAAQMAAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
You can play multiple moves in any order that's legal.
[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
If the 18 point was open, then white could play 6 - 5 (24/18 18/13).
[/step] [step]move2::24/18 18/13[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]setpos::2AACAAQYAAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
If the 19 point was open, then white could play 5 - 6 (24/19 19/13).[/step] [step]move2::24/19 19/13[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title The Bar] [posID 1AAAAAAAABgAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
PLAYING FROM THE BAR
[/step] [step]setpos::1AAAAAAAABgAAAA[/step] [step]say::
If one or more of your pieces have been hit onto the bar (see earlier), then you must bring them back onto the board somewhere in your opponent's home table (points 24 to 19 from your perspective).
Until you've brought them all back on, you can't make any other moves.
[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]dice::210[/step] [step]say::
A dice throw of 1 brings you on at point 24, a 2 at point 23, and so on.[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move2::25/24[/step] [step]wait::1200[/step] [step]dice::212[/step] [step]wait::300[/step] [step]move2::25/23[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title The Bar - 2] [posID 1AAAAAAAABgAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]setpos::1Mw4AAAAAAAMAAA[/step] [step]say::
PLAYING FROM THE BAR
[/step] [step]say::
Normal landing rules apply when playing from the bar, so if your opponent has a point "covered" by two or more pieces, you can't land on it.[/step] [step]say::
In this example, white rolls 2 1. The 2 gets a piece back onto the 23-point. However the 1 doesn't get the other piece back on, because the 24-point is covered. White can't make any other move, and has to wait for his next dice roll to try to get back on.[/step] [step]wait::1500[/step] [step]dice::212[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move2::25/23[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Bearing Off] [posID 1AAAAdm8dAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
BEARING OFF
[/step] [step]setpos::1AAAAdm8dAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
Once you've got all 15 of your pieces into your home table (points 1 to 6), you can start to "bear them off".[/step] [step]say::
A 6 takes a piece off the 6-point, a 2 off the 2-point, and so on.[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]dice::262[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move2::6/0 2/0[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Bearing Off - 2] [posID 1AAAAdi8AAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::1AAAAdi8AAAAAAA[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
BEARING OFF - 2
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
If you throw a number greater than the highest point which still has a piece on it, then you can bear off from the highest point.[/step] [step]say::
In this example, the 6 and 5 points are already empty. A throw of 6 5 bears the solitary piece off the 4-point, then because that's now empty too, the second piece comes off the 3-point.[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]dice::265[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move2::4/0 3/0[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Bearing Off - 3] [posID 1AAAAdo8BAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::1AAAAdo8BAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
BEARING OFF - 3
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
However, if you throw a number for an 'empty' point, and one or more higher-numbered points have pieces on them, then you must move from a higher point.[/step] [step]say::
In this example the 2 bears a piece off the 2-point, but the 5 must be used to play 6/1.[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]dice::225[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move2::2/0 6/1[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Bearing Off - 4] [posID 1AAAQ3B4BAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::1AAAQ3B4BAAAAAA[/step] [step]say::
BEARING OFF - 4
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
You can only keep bearing off as long as all your remaining pieces are inside your home table.[/step] [step]say::
Here red hits white onto the bar. White must now re-enter on the far side of the board, then get back round into his own home table, before bearing off any more pieces.[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]dice::125[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move1::21/19 19/14[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::226[/step] [step]move2::25/23 23/17[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]dice::114[/step] [step]move1::14/13 13/9[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::243[/step] [step]move2::17/13 13/10[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]dice::112[/step] [step]move1::9/8 8/6[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::235[/step] [step]move2::10/7 7/2[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]dice::112[/step] [step]move1::6/4 4/3[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::232[/step] [step]move2::3/0 2/0[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]dice::142[/step] [step]move1::3/0[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]setpos::1m21gYAG3BwAAAg[/step] [step]say::
(Getting back on and round might sound easy enough, but when the board looks like this, it's a lot tougher!)[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title You've got to move!] [posID 1AAAw2M0AAAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]say::
YOU'VE GOT TO MOVE!
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
You must play all the moves you've rolled, even if it makes your position worse.[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]dice::251[/step] [step]say::
Here, white rolls 5 1. He has to play the 5 as 5/0, but can't move the other 5-point piece to safety, because red is blocking the way. Instead he must play the 1 from a lower-numbered point.[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]move2::5/0 1/0[/step] [step]say::
White can't say "no thanks" to the 5, even though it forces him to leave a "blot" (a single piece on a point) that red might hit.
The must-play rule applies at all times, not just when you're bearing off. [/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Starting a game] [posID 14HPwATDgc/ABMA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::14HPwATDgc/ABMA[/step] [step]say::
STARTING A GAME
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
How do you decide who plays first at the start of a game? It's easy.[/step] [step]wait::1200[/step] [step]say::
Each player throws one die. Whoever throws the higher number plays first, using the two numbers thrown.[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::120[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]dice::240[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
In this example white wins, so plays 4 2.[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]move2::6/4 8/4[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
(If both players throw the same number, they try again).[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Scoring points] [posID 1CQAA2O02AAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::2CQAA2O02AAAAAA[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
SCORING POINTS
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
Backgammon games are played for points. The number of points you get for a win depends on two factors:
a. The type of win.
b. The current value of the doubling cube (the thing with '64' on it in the middle of the bar).[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Single win] [posID 1CQAA2O02AAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::2CQAA2O02AAAAAA[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
SINGLE WIN
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
The type of win you score depends on how well (or badly) your opponent is doing at the time the game ends.[/step] [step]say::
If he's managed to bear off at least one of his pieces, you score a single win, with a standard value of 1 point.[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]move2::3/0 1/0[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Gammon] [posID 1CQAA2HUbSAAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::2CQAA2HUbSAAAAA[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
GAMMON WIN
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
If your opponent hasn't born any pieces off, but has managed to get all his pieces out of your home table, then you score a double win, or
gammon
, with a standard value of 2 points.
(Note that this applies even if all your opponent's pieces are in his home table.)[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]move2::3/0 1/0[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title Backgammon] [posID 1CQAA2LUNJCAAAA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::2CQAA2LUNJCAAAA[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
BACKGAMMON WIN
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
If your opponent hasn't born any pieces off, and still has one or more pieces in your home table (points 1 to 6) or on the bar, then you score a
backgammon
, with a standard value of 3 points.[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]move2::3/0 1/0[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
The number of points you actually get for winning a game is the value of the win (1, 2 or 3) multiplied by the current value of the
doubling cube
. That's next....[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title The Doubling Cube] [posID 14PPgAFiYZ+QFIA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::24PPgAFiYZ+QFIA[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
THE DOUBLING CUBE
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
Backgammon is normally played in matches (for example 'first player to 7 points'), or for money with an agreed stake per point. The doubling cube is used to raise the stakes for the current game, by multiplying the points values of the basic, gammon and backgammon wins.
At the start of the game, the cube is placed in the middle of the bar, with "64" showing. This means that it's not in use yet.
At this stage either player can "offer" the cube to his opponent. [/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title The Doubling Cube 2] [posID 14PPgAFiYZ+QFIA] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::24PPgAFiYZ+QFIA[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
THE DOUBLING CUBE
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
You can only offer the cube when it's your turn to play,
before
you roll your dice.
Here, white offers the cube to red by turning it to its next higher value (2) and placing it on red's side of the board. [/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]cube::1,2,true[/step] [step]wait::1000[/step] [step]say::
Red now has two choices.
a. He can "take" (accept) the cube, in which case the points for whoever wins this game will be multiplied by the value of the cube (so a basic win will score 2 points, a gammon 4 and a backgammon 6).
b. He can "pass" (refuse) the cube, in which case he loses the game, and his opponent scores a single win at the previous value of the cube (e.g. 1 point when the cube is offered at 2). [/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title The Doubling Cube 3] [posID 14PPgAFiYZ+QFIA12] [command steps] [steps] [step]setpos::24PPgAFiYZ+QFIA12[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
THE DOUBLING CUBE
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
Once a player has taken the cube, he "owns" it - only he can now offer it back to his opponent.
Here red offers the cube back to white, by doubling its value and placing it on white's side of the board. [/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]cube::2,4,true[/step] [step]wait::2000[/step] [step]say::
White now has to decide whether to take or pass.
If white takes, the stakes will be quadruped, and he will become the owner of the cube - only he will be able to offer it.
If white passes, red wins the game and scores 2 points (the previous value of the cube).
The current cube owner must wait until it's his turn, before he rolls the dice, to offer the cube.
However, many clubs and online systems allow "instant redoubling". This means that when the cube is offered to you, you can take it, double it and offer it straight back. [/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title The Doubling Cube 4] [posID 1mGfkBSDg8+AAWA24] [command steps] [steps] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]say::
THE DOUBLING CUBE
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
"Cube play" - knowing when to offer the cube and whether to accept or pass it - is a major part of serious backgammon play.
It's also the most difficult part to learn. You need to be able to analyse your current position (and your opponent's) and weigh up the probability of a win.
Being able to do this quickly and well only comes from experience. When learning backgammon, it's best to ignore the cube until you've got a good basic feel for the game. [/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title One more thing...] [posID 1mGfkBSDg8+AAWA24] [command steps] [steps] [step]fliphoriz::[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]setpos::14HPwATDgc/ABMA[/step] [step]say::
ONE MORE THING...
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
You can lay the board out in the opposite horizontal orientation from the one we've see so far! Everything is then played in the opposite direction.
Note how the point numbers change - your 24-point is now in the top right-hand corner instead of top-left.
This is how to recognise which way the board is set - look for two of your pieces in a top corner, and that's your 24-point. You always play away from there.
There's no "standard" layout, so you may have to play in either direction. Having to switch might seem difficult, but in fact it's surprisingly easy. It's best to practice playing both layouts, so you feel at home with either of them.
Choose "Introduction" from the drop down list above, and you can view this entire tutorial again the other way round - good practice! [/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]move2::24/20 13/8[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]labels::1[/step] [step]move1::24/22 6/2[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]move2::24/20 13/9[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]labels::1[/step] [step]move1::22/18 24/18[/step] [step]wait::500[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]move2::6/5 8/5[/step] [step]setpos::14HPwATDgc/ABMA[/step] [/steps] [/play] [play][player1][title That's All] [posID 14HPwATDgc/ABMA] [command steps] [steps] [step]horizr::[/step] [step]labels::2[/step] [step]setpos::14HPwATDgc/ABMA[/step] [step]say::
AND THAT'S ALL...
[/step] [step]dice::100[/step] [step]dice::200[/step] [step]say::
... there is to the basic rules of backgammon. As you've probably guessed though, that's just the beginning.
Learning to play well can take years, and hundreds, if not thousands, of games. Backgammon is partly a game of luck, but also a game of strategy and (especially) adaptability, as you work with the numbers the dice have given you.
A good way to learn is to watch others play, and you can do that with the annotated games on this website. The best way, though, is to play, against computer programs such as GNU and Snowie, and best of all, against real people (online or in person).
GOOD LUCK! [/step] [/steps] [/play]