Backgammon Information

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In very simple terms, there are three general strategies used. You must be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!