Backgammon Tips Winning Backgammon Tips

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In very simple terms, there are three main tactics used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in your opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious difficulty seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent's lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there's no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don't have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!