Backgammon Tips

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three chief strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious difficulty because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! 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 an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!