Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic strategies used. You want to be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent's smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, because you don't have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!