Backgammon Strategies

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!