Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main techniques used. You must be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor's home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your opponent's smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there's no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, considering that you don't have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it's more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!