Backgammon Information

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general techniques employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious calamity considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!