Backgammon Information

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In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental game plans employed. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious calamity considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!