Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three main plans employed. You want to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are near your competitor's smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don't have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!