Backgammon Information

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics employed. You must be agile enough to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!