Backgammon

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In very simple terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You need to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time trouble because they have two 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 checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!