Backgammon Secrets

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In exceptionally simple terms, there are three main tactics employed. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves 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 eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 checkers 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 competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!