Backgammon Information

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three main game plans employed. You want to be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious difficulty seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!