Backgammon – Three Main Strategies

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In very simple terms, there are 3 chief techniques employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time trouble considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!