Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You want to be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!

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