Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three chief strategies used. You must be able to switch strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!