Backgammon Information

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You need to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!