Backgammon Information

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In very simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques employed. You must be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious trouble since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!