Backgammon

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are three general tactics used. You must be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!