Backgammon Information

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 chief strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity because 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 higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!