Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three chief strategies employed. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in your competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious difficulty seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor's home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are towards your opponent's smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it's more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!