Backgammon – Three General Strategies

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In exceptionally general terms, there are three chief techniques used. You need to be able to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside 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 filled by at least two of your pieces.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!