Best Online Backgammon Sites in New Zealand 2024

Backgammon is the classic example of luck and skill combining to create an endlessly playable game. While you can’t influence the roll of the dice, it’s up to you to choose how to put those numbers to good use. 

We’re going to look at some of the best apps and sites for backgammon in New Zealand. Then, we’ll dissect some strategies for winning and take a look at the kind of bonuses you can find out there.

What is Backgammon?

Backgammon is believed to date back around 5,000 years. In fact, ancient boards similar to the ones we use today have been found in Egypt, Sumeria, and Persia. Nowadays, it’s a two-player game which you can play on a traditional wooden board or online!

The aim is to remove all of your checkers from the board by rolling dice and moving your pieces strategically. In doing so, you can block or capture your opponent’s checkers. You could see it as a race to clear your own pieces, while simultaneously blocking your opponent from doing the same.

How To Play Backgammon

Find the right backgammon site for you and log in to start playing. You can either play with a friend who you’ll need to invite yourself, play against the computer, or be matched up with another player online.

With that out of the way, you’re ready to begin! You each start with 15 checkers which you need to move off the board before your opponent. You take it in turns to roll the dice and you each move your checkers according to the number shown on the dice.

Each dice represents one move, meaning you can move separate pieces or combine your dice score to make a longer move. You can only put your checker in an open space. This is a space where there are fewer than two opposing checkers.  

Remember though, if your checker lands alone on a point and your opponent hits it, then it gets sent to the bar and you’ll need to re-enter it to the board.

Why Play Backgammon Online?

Backgammon is one of the more confusing casino games to get your head around, which is what makes it so perfect for playing online. If you’re just starting out then being able to make mistakes without the judgment of other players is super helpful.

As well as this, lots of sites will let you play backgammon for free. If you want to play games like poker, blackjack, or baccarat then it’s much more difficult to play without staking your own money. 

Best Online Backgammon Sites

Online backgammon isn’t nearly as popular as poker, roulette, or blackjack are in New Zealand, but there are still a handful of sites that offer a great place to play. Below is a guide to some trustworthy sites where you can try out different variants, play backgammon with friends, or meet new people in online multiplayer mode.

247 Backgammon

247 Backgammon is a great site for beginners as it features a clear explainer on exactly how to play. You can also choose to play backgammon against the computer, play against a random opponent or friend online, or enjoy an online version of pass and play backgammon. 

You’ll find some fun themed backgammon games too that vary depending on the time of year. Whether you want to play Halloween backgammon or Cinco de Mayo backgammon, 247 Backgammon has you covered.

Crazy Games

Crazy Games has one backgammon game that you can either play against the computer or against an opponent online. It’s a simple site where you can play completely free and practise your skills.

Toy Theater

Toy Theater is similar to Crazy Games in that the backgammon game it offers is the same. You can play against the computer or against a randomly selected opponent online.

Backgammon Galaxy

Backgammon Galaxy is more suitable for the competitive player and will match you up based on the skill level that you assign yourself. 

So, if you’re a ‘newbie’ don’t be put off! You need to sign up to play and if you decide that you like it there’s a paid subscription that you can opt in to. This unlocks entries to tournaments where you can compete for prizes.

Backgammon Strategy

We’ve explained the basics of backgammon, but do you want some tips to help you get ahead? Learning a bit of backgammon strategy will ensure you make the most of each and every turn.

Build a Prime

First of all, what’s a prime? It’s six consecutive occupied points on the board. If you’ve got a prime your opponent can’t pass it, unless they roll a number that lands on an open point.

By making a prime, you’re trapping your opponent’s checkers and giving yourself a big advantage.

Avoid Blots

We briefly talked about the risk of leaving a single checker on a point. If you do this, it’s called a blot. If your opponent hits your blot then it goes to the bar and you’ll lose turns trying to re-enter it.

For this reason it’s good to keep your checkers in pairs or place your blots in the most low-risk spots.

Count Your Pips

All skilled players keep a mental pip count to help them adjust their strategy more quickly and effectively. But, what is a pip count? It’s simply the total number of moves required to bear off all of your checkers. 

Try to keep a running count in your head and you’ll know whether to play offensively or defensively with your next move.

Game Variations in Online Backgammon

Classic backgammon is the variant of backgammon that you’ll find the most often online, but sometimes it’s fun to mix it up! Below are a handful of internet backgammon variations that can be fun for new and experienced players alike.

Acey Deucey

As the name suggests, this variant gives you a big benefit if you roll a 1 and a 2 (acey and deucey). You get to move, take an additional turn, and select a double. It’s a powerful one, but remember, your chances of rolling a 1 and a 2 are just 1/18.

Hypergammon

You’ll see this one referred to under a few different names like mini backgammon, three-checker backgammon, or quick backgammon. All are the same thing, in which you play just like normal but with only three checkers. 

This means you finish the game a lot quicker and you’ll likely need to take a more risky strategy to win.

Chouette

This is a great game for those who love the social element of backgammon, as you’ll need three or more players to get started. The players split into teams, with one player as the box (who plays alone) and the remainder as the challengers.

The box gets to decide all of the doubling decisions and if they win, they stay on. The challengers need to work together to try and take them down. If you’re new to the game then being on the team of the challengers is a good way to learn backgammon.

Best Backgammon Apps

You don’t need to be near a computer to play backgammon, there are lots of options on mobile too. Below are a handful of the best backgammon apps for iOS and Android.

Backgammon Friends Online

Backgammon Friends Online is a great all-around app, for those who like social play, tournaments, and importantly, being able to play in portrait mode! Lots of backgammon apps don’t offer the option to switch your perspective so it’s great to see on this app.

Backgammon Legends

Backgammon Legends is a great choice for those who like the social element of backgammon. You can create and keep a friends list, communicate with other players, link to your Facebook account, and compete in tournaments too.

Backgammon Live

This app lets you play with other app users who are selected at random, or you can play with your own friends. The graphics are much flashier than most backgammon sites and apps can offer too.

Backgammon Bonuses

Most of the backgammon sites that we’ve mentioned will let you play for free. However, some of them, and in particular most of the mobile apps, have a coins system. This means that you play with coins and win coins, kind of like you would play and win chips in a casino. Below are some backgammon bonuses that you can use to get more coins and win prizes.

Backgammon Free Coins

Many apps use free coins as a way to reward their players – Backgammon Legends is a great example. This app gives you free coins for following its page and liking it on Facebook.

Daily Gifts

Some sites and apps give you daily gifts, usually in the form of free coins. The Backgammon Legends app gives you free coins every hour, which saves you from needing to buy them from the store. Backgammon Galaxy gives you 400 coins for free every 12 hours if you’re a free member, or more if you subscribe.

Where to Find Free Backgammon Online

It’s actually easier to find free backgammon online than it is to find real money backgammon. Most of the sites that we’ve mentioned will let you play for free, which is a great way to gain a better understanding of the game.