Backgammon Secrets

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In very simple terms, there are 3 general techniques employed. You want to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!