Backgammon All About Backgammon

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You must be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in the opponent's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious calamity because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor's home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent's lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!