Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 main game plans used. You must be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to block in your competitor's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent's lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!