Backgammon Secrets

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three fundamental techniques employed. You must be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time trouble since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!