Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in the competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your chances. The best locations for anchors are near your competitor's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don't have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it's better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!