Backgammon – Three Main Techniques

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In very simple terms, there are 3 chief plans employed. You need to be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!