Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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In very simple terms, there are three chief plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor's home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your competitor's smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there's no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don't have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!