Backgammon Information

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In very general terms, there are 3 main strategies used. You want to be able to switch game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!