Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans employed. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in your opponent's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time trouble seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent's home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your competitor's lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there's no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it's more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!