Backgammon Secrets

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In very general terms, there are 3 general game plans employed. You want to be able to switch tactics instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The best places for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!