Is backgammon a game of skill or luck?

Backgammon is a mix of both: luck decides the dice, but skill decides how well you use every roll. Over a single game the dice can dominate, which is why upsets happen, but over many games the stronger player wins far more often. Skilled play shows in choosing which checkers to move, when to hit, when to build points, and when to race or hold. Judging the pip count and managing risk separate good players from beginners. So while you cannot control the dice, you control almost everything else, which is exactly why backgammon has been a respected strategy game for centuries.