Backgammon – Three Main Techniques

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You need to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!