Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies

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In very general terms, there are 3 general strategies used. You must be able to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!