Backgammon Tips Winning Backgammon Tips

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In very simple terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent's smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there's no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it's more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!