Backgammon – 3 General Techniques

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three chief plans employed. You must be able to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious calamity since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, considering that you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!