Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic game plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!