Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three main plans employed. You need to be able to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to block in your opponent's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time difficulty considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your opponent's lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don't have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!