Backgammon Secrets

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic techniques employed. You need to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!