Backgammon Information

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In very general terms, there are 3 main tactics employed. You need to be able to hop between techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!