10 most common mistakes when playing online backgammon

1. Players coming ill-equipped to an online backgammon game. Before you sit down to an online the table, there are things you need to be aware of, so as to give yourself a better chance to winning, these include knowing that;  In any money game or tournament, you should know all of the backgammon rules inside out, You should be certain about issues such as match length, format, cube and checker play rules and protocol. If you are playing matches, you should have a good understanding of basic match equity, point taking, and cube strategy before you take part, and you should seriously think about those issues before every game in a match.
2. Players not taking into considering all the plays that are possible. Most players roll the dice and immediately see a play they like, and roll with it. Good players look for alternatives to catch their opponents off guard.  Often the best plays are not the first thought of, or even the second. Don’t be one of those players that see a great play just after they pick up the dice and go through with it!
3. Players forget that the game’s a race. The pip count is a significant factor. A play could be right or wrong depending on whether you are winning or losing the race. 
4. Players forget the score whilst playing. In a match, the score can greatly influence both cube and checker play decisions. One play might be appropriate at one score and dreadfully wrong at another. Before every game in a match, you should stop and consider your basic strategy and goals in relation to the score of the match, and players should adjust their checker play and cube strategy accordingly.
5. Players forgetting about the Doubling cube. Many plays are correct if the cube is in the centre, but wrong if it is already turned. There are times its appropriate to play for the gammon if the cube has not turned, but wrong if the cube is in the centre of the table. And of course, one of the most common errors most players make is not doubling when advised, or doubling when they shouldn’t, or dropping incorrectly. It’s difficult enough to make the right decisions all the time, but simply not thinking about the cube because you are so immersed in the game puts you at a huge disadvantage.
6. Misjudging the importance of gammons and backgammons. At different scores backgammons are vitally important and worth taking a chance to win. At other scores, it’s better to play it safe. 
7. Taking too many risks. Many players love to hit, and if they can hit two, all the better. Hitting is often a good move, but also often a wrong move if the timing is incorrect. 
8. Taking too fewer risks. Playing too safe is just as perilous as playing to risky! “Sometimes the greatest risk is to take no risk at all.” Backgammon requires you to take calculated risks, to hit and leave blots instead of stacking up checkers (men) or throwing checkers out of play. It takes time and experience to really understand when to hit and when to play safe, but if you are in the habit of doing one or the other, you’re making a big mistake, differentiation is key to catching your opponent off guard.
9. Getting in over your head. This applies specifically to money games. If you are playing for stakes that are higher than you can afford, you are likely to drop cubes you should be taking, or failing to give cubes that you should be giving away. As a result you will be afraid to take risks that  you should take with your checker play. 
10. Losing your concentration and intensity. A backgammon game, match or tournament is not usually won or lost on a great or bad play…it is won or lost as a result of several plays, longevity is key. A 10% mistake will only cost you a match 10% of the time, but a series of small backgammon mistakes which add up to 75% will cost you the match 75% of the time. Winning a game of backgammon requires consistent high-quality play, every play and every cube decision, even when it looks obvious that you are going to win or lose a game. Players need 100% concentration to end the game a winner.