Backgammon

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general tactics used. You must be agile enough to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!