Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are three main game plans employed. You must be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to lock in your competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor's home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your opponent's smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, because you don't have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it's more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!