Backgammon All About Backgammon

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In very general terms, there are three general game plans used. You must be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the action 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 the opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your competitor's lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there's no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it's more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!