Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 01/11/2026 10:25 pm by Madisyn
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general strategies used. You want to be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble 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 competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner 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 any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!