Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You need to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, because you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!