Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You must be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

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

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece 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 taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor's smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!