Backgammon Secrets

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three main strategies used. You want to be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!