Backgammon Information

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 main tactics used. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!