Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In very general terms, there are three fundamental strategies employed. You must be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your competitor's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are near your opponent's smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it's more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!