Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In very general terms, there are three basic plans employed. You need to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are close to your opponent's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, seeing that you don't have other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!