Backgammon Tips

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 general game plans employed. You must be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious calamity because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!