Backgammon Information

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic techniques used. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious difficulty because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!