Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic tactics used. You want to be able to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in the competitor's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor's home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent's smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don't have other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it's more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!