Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In very general terms, there are three chief strategies used. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the opponent's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls 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 difficulty 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 2 or more checkers in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent's lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there's no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, because you don't have other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!