Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 main tactics used. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your competitor's lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there's no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it's better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!