Backgammon Secrets

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised 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 located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!