Backgammon Information

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In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental game plans used. You must be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The better places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!