Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In very general terms, there are three chief strategies employed. You want to be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to block in your opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time calamity due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your opponent's lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there's no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, considering that you don't have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!