Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies

In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental plans used. You need to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!