Backgammon Information

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In very general terms, there are 3 fundamental plans used. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!