Backgammon Information

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are three basic techniques employed. You need to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty since 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 two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!