Backgammon Tips Winning Backgammon Tips

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In very general terms, there are three general strategies used. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in your opponent's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent's inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchors are towards your competitor's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there's no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!