Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In very simple terms, there are three basic plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor's home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there's no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, because you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it's more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!