Backgammon All About Backgammon

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic game plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent's smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it's more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!