Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three chief plans employed. You must be able to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to lock in the opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor's home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor's lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, because you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it's more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!