Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In very simple terms, there are 3 general plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in the opponent's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent's lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don't have other extra checkers to move! In this case, it's more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!