If you’re a fan of the backgammon board game that has been around for thousands of years you may be interested in checking out the online version that is now taking the internet by storm. Software developers have gotten around to creating online versions of all the most popular skill games over the past decade and the Internet is now flourishing with realistic software simulators. Players can now choose to play online backgammon for fun or for real money wagers.

The first place to start if you’re ready to try out some online gaming is to download the backgammon software from a well-known and reliable provider. Once you’ve downloaded and installed the software onto your PC you can register and account, choose a nickname, which will be your playing alias, and start playing a backgammon game on the net. You can play against other real players from many different countries where Internet backgammon is popular.

Once you’ve completed the backgammon download and registered an account you’ll be able to choose from several version of the game. The backgammon board looks the same in software version as a real board game and unless you’re playing a variation like hyper backgammon you’ll find that the backgammon rules are also exactly the same. There’s even a virtual doubling cube used to up the stakes of the game.

Before playing it is highly recommended that the player review the full backgammon rules as each online software may offer slight variations on the game. Also, another good reason to play backgammon online is that the software allows you to play in fun mode without risking any money. Free games allow the player to get familiar with the software and just play for fun.

You can even play against a real opponent for fun. That way none of the players is risking anything. It’s a great way to practice at online backgammon and to help develop your playing skills –not to mention meeting new people on the net from around the world. Most backgammon software includes chat which is useful for talking to the other players.

Then once you’ve played a few rounds in practice mode you can consider joining a real money game. Make sure you’re playing against an opponent that is more or less at your level. Many of the top backgammon software providers offer low cost games so you don’t have to wager much but can still gamble if you choose to. This often adds another elements of excitement to the game.

Finding backgammon online is easy. There are many directories and portals that offer info and reviews about popular backgammon software providers. Some providers even offer freeroll tournaments which allow players who accumulate points they’ve won in other real money games to join a freeroll tournament for free in place of a buy-in. Try it out and you’ll see for yourself just how much fun it can be.