Backgammon – Three Main Strategies

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 chief tactics employed. You need to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!