Backgammon Secrets

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily general terms, there are three chief techniques employed. You must be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious trouble seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you do not have other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!