Backgammon Secrets

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 main techniques used. You must be able to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to block 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 anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious trouble because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!