Backgammon – 3 General Strategies

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three main game plans employed. You need to be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!