Backgammon – Three General Strategies

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 main game plans employed. You want to be able to switch game plans quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!