Basic Backgammon Strategy

Even though backgammon uses dice to move the game along, the game involves an extensive amount of strategy. Players can run blitzes to quickly put opponents on the defensive, they can play defensive games to block their opponents and they can employ a variety of other strategies somewhere in the middle. The following Backgammon strategies are basic but they are still effective.

Attack the Blots

Blots are single checkers resting in a point that you can land on and send back to the bar. As a general strategy, it's a good thing to hit blots as often as you can. Not only do they have to start those checkers over from the beginning, but your opponents have to spend turns getting the blots out of the bar. If ever in doubt, hit the blot.

Make Points in Backgammon

Making points means getting 2 or more checkers in a point. Making points is important because it keeps your checkers safe from being hit and it restricts your opponent's movement options. The most important points to hold first are the 4, 5 and 7 points.

Distribution

The distribution backgammon strategy is a simple tactic to keep you flexible and able to take maximum advantage of every roll of the dice. To use this backgammon strategy, try to keep your checkers spread across as many points as possible. For example, it's better to have 6 checkers spread across 3 points (2 checkers per point) than it is to have 4 checkers on one point and 2 checkers on another.

Priming in Backgammon

Priming is a blocking maneuver that's accomplished by occupying 6 points in a row with at least 2 checkers per point. This forms an effective barrier that cannot be passed until you break it up. The best place to place a prime is somewhere between your 2 point and your 11 point.

The Holding Game

The goal behind the holding game is to hold a point in the opponent's home board. You then hit your opponent's checkers with the goal of disrupting his game as much as possible. The 20 point and bar point are 2 of the most effective places to hold a point in the opponent's home board.

The Blitz

This aggressive backgammon strategy is centered on attacking your opponent's pieces, keeping them on the bar and establishing a presence on the inner table as quickly as possible. If you can establish all 6 points in your inner table, it becomes impossible for your opponent to return his pieces to the game until you've started bearing off.