4) Backgammon In this game based around the roll of two dice, strategy takes centre stage, as each player’s chances of winning or losing depends not on the number of pips that a dice roll shows, but on the way he reacts to that number. The game of backgammon is about planning and anticipation, with elements such as blocking and attack coming into play. The board itself consists of 24 long triangles, with 12 on each side (known as a track), and connected across one edge of the board to form the shape of a horseshoe. From number one to twenty-four respective to each player, with the number one being on the player’s own side. The movement of the pieces are from the greater number to the lowest, and the objective being to move all pieces to the home board (numbers 1 to 6) upon which the player can start to remove pieces from the corresponding number shown on each dice roll. The movement of the pieces are conducted in this manner – two dice are rolled, upon which any piece selected by the player is moved by the corresponding value of a dice. The first dice whose value is used would be the one of a higher value; hence a player can move two pieces per turn. If a piece lands on a triangle with a single opponent’s piece, that piece is captured and placed on the bar. Captured pieces are returned if a 2 or more is thrown on the dice during the players turn (a 2 means that the piece is placed on the 23-triangle, 3 on the 24 and so on), upon which his turn ends. Placing reserve pieces on the opponent’s home board for opportunistic attacks is one common strategy utilised by backgammon players. |
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