Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three basic game plans used. You must be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor's lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don't have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it's more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!