Backgammon Information

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In astonishingly general terms, there are three chief techniques employed. You must be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!