Backgammon Secrets

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In very general terms, there are 3 general plans used. You must be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. 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 continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious calamity considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!