Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three basic tactics used. You want to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in your opponent's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are close to your opponent's lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!