Backgammon – Three Main Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 01/26/2026 08:25 pm by Zaire
In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You must be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!