Backgammon

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!