Backgammon Information

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental game plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious calamity due to the fact 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 more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!