Backgammon Information

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In very simple terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You need to be able to switch tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!