Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 main techniques used. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent's lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don't have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!