Backgammon Information

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In very simple terms, there are three general plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!