Backgammon Tips

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 main techniques used. You want to be agile enough to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!