Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In very simple terms, there are 3 general game plans used. You must be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in your competitor's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: besides, there's no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it's more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!