Backgammon – Three General Strategies

In exceptionally simple terms, there are three fundamental techniques used. You want to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious trouble considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!

Backgammon – Three Main Plans

In astonishingly simple terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!