Backgammon Tricks

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In very simple terms, there are 3 basic plans employed. You want to be able to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!