Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 main techniques employed. You must be able to switch techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are near your opponent's smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there's no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!