Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic tactics used. You want to be able to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor's smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there's no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don't have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it's better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!