Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three general strategies used. You must be able to switch tactics quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to block in the opponent's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your competitor's smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don't have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!