Backgammon Information

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

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious calamity seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!