Backgammon Tricks

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In very simple terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics employed. You must be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time dire straits seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!