Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In very general terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to lock in the opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time difficulty since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your opponent's smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: besides, there's no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don't have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it's more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!