Backgammon Tips Winning Backgammon Tips

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In very simple terms, there are three general plans employed. You must be able to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious calamity since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor's home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are close to your opponent's lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there's no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you don't have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it's more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!