Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three chief strategies employed. You must be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least 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 suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your opponent's smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there's no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!