Backgammon – Three Main Techniques

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 fundamental plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!