Backgammon Tips

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

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!