Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general tactics employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to block in your competitor's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent's lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don't have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it's better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!