Backgammon Tips Winning Backgammon Tips

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental game plans employed. You must be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in your competitor's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious dire straits considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your opponent's lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: after all, there's no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, because you don't have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it's better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!