Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to lock in your competitor's checkers that are 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 anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time calamity seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are close to your competitor's lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don't have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it's more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!