Backgammon – 3 Main Techniques

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In very simple terms, there are 3 chief techniques used. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious trouble since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!