Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic tactics used. You must be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-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 as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your opponent's smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don't have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!