Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in your opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchors are near your competitor's smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there's no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, because you don't have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it's more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!