Posted by Darien | Posted in Backgammon | Posted on 30-10-2026
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three main strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The best locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!