Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three chief game plans used. You want to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in the competitor's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious difficulty considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are towards your opponent's lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there's no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it's better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!