Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In very simple terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to 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 game. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious calamity because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are towards your opponent's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don't have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!