Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies

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In very general terms, there are 3 basic tactics used. You want to be able to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble seeing that 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 pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is 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 can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!