Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in your competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are close to your competitor's lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, because you don't have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it's better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!