Backgammon Information

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In exceptionally general terms, there are three main plans employed. You must be able to switch techniques almost instantly 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 are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 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 competitor is moving their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!