Although backgammon is a game requiring skill, there is an element of luck. Luck is embodied in the unpredictability, or randomness, of the dice. This random factor determines the probability of a combination of numbers showing up on the dice, and the frequency with which any given combination will be thrown in a pair of fair dice. Although everyone wants a fair game, it is especially important when playing real money backgammon. Online backgammon software designers focus on the dice probability, to make sure that backgammon statistics don't change when they're moved into the computerized world.

In land-based backgammon, dice are said to be fair when there is an equal chance that any of the six faces of the die will show in any given throw. In internet backgammon, since real dice are not used, other methods of producing random and therefore, fair, rolls of the dice are used. Complex mathematical algorithms - step-by-step, problem-solving procedures - allow backgammon software programmers to create a random throw of the die in online backgammon. When you're playing online backgammon, it's really important to check that the backgammon software you are playing on is accredited by an independant auditor such as iTech Labs.

Once a player understands the randomness of the dice, he can make better informed decisions regarding each move in response to any given roll. There are not an infinite number of possible rolls of two dice. There are only 36 possible combinations (six ways for the first die to land and six ways for the second die to land.). Understanding the chances of throwing a particular combination of pips will help you decide how risky a move is.

For example; if you must choose between two moves, one in which you will leave a blot that is one point away from your opponent, and another move which will leave a blot nine points away from your opponent, how do you choose which is the less risky move? Using the theory of probability, you can calculate the chance that he will be able to hit either of these blots on the next roll.

If your opponent throws any combination of dice that show a 1, he will be able to hit a blot which is one point away. There are 11 such possible rolls; 1-1 (only one combination of the dice produces 1-1), a 1 on the first die, and any other number on the second die: 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, an/or a 1 on the second die and any other number on the first die: 2-1, 3-1, 4-1, 5-1, 6-1. That makes the probability of getting hit 11 out of 36 possible rolls.

If, on the other hand, your other possible move would leave a blot nine points away from your opponent, he would have to roll one of the following combinations: 4-5, 5-4, 3-6, or 6-3. The probability of this event is 4 out of 36, a lower chance of being hit. Now it is clear which is the less risky backgammon move, right?

Since it's not all that complicated to figure out the probability of a player hitting any given number, it's worthwhile to consider statistics in your backgammon game.

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