Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor's smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, considering that you don't have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it's more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!