Backgammon All About Backgammon

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic strategies used. You must be able to hop between techniques almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your competitor's pieces 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 build 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 closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor's home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent's smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there's no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it's better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!