Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In very simple terms, there are three general tactics used. You want to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in your competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are near your opponent's smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: besides, there's no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, because you don't have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!