Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three main techniques used. You need to be able to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor's home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your competitor's smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there's no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it's more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!