Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three main game plans used. You must be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time calamity since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!