Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies

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In very general terms, there are 3 main techniques employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty taking into account 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 more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best places for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!