Backgammon Secrets

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In exceptionally general terms, there are three general game plans employed. You want to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, because you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!