Backgammon Information

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 general techniques employed. You want to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious trouble because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!