Backgammon Strategy Backgammon Strategy for Dummies

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

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious dire straits because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are near your competitor's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it's more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!