Backgammon Information

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic plans used. You must be able to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located 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 move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!