Backgammon All About Backgammon

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

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your opponent's lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!