Backgammon Information

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!