Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three main techniques used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious difficulty because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there's no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, considering that you don't have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!