Backgammon Information

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You need to be able to hop between techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!