Backgammon Information

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In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!