NORTHSTAR ACADEMY

Learn the Game. Elevate Your Game.

The educational home of Northstar Backgammon.

Through classes, workshops, and online resources, Northstar Academy helps players learn the fundamentals, develop new skills, and gain confidence over the board.

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FOUNDATIONAL BACKGAMMON SERIES

A four-session workshop for the world’s greatest mind skill game.

Curious about the growing excitement around backgammon? Ready to join the fun? This four-session series will teach you everything you need to get started. Each class builds on the last in a welcoming, low-pressure environment. No experience is necessary. Just bring your curiosity and pull up a chair.

$40 PER CLASS

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SESSION 1
Learn the Board and Know the Odds

Every great player starts with the fundamentals. Learn how to read the board, understand key terminology and become comfortable moving your checkers.

  • Board orientation and setup
  • Essential backgammon vocabulary
  • Dice probabilities and common rolls
  • Why understanding the odds leads to better decisions

SESSION 2
Mastering the Opening

The first few rolls often shape the entire game. Discover the most common opening moves and how to respond to your opponent’s choices.

  • The fifteen opening rolls
  • Standard opening strategies
  • Reading your opponent’s first move
  • Choosing strong responses

SESSION 3
Building a Winning Position

Backgammon is a game of plans, not just moves. Explore the strategic ideas that experienced players rely on.

  • How to create a game plan
  • Building and using primes
  • When and how to attack
  • The power of anchor games

SESSION 4
Bringing it Home

Learn how to finish games with confidence and discover the basics of the doubling cube.

  • Bearing-off techniques
  • Racing concepts
  • The fundamentals of the doubling cube
  • When to double and when to accept