Backgammon Information

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 main techniques used. You need to be able to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!