Backgammon Information

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In very simple terms, there are 3 chief plans employed. You must be able to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!