Backgammon Tips

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You want to be able to switch strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!