Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are three chief plans used. You want to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, 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 competitor is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!