Backgammon Secrets

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In very simple terms, there are three main tactics used. You want to be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious calamity due to the fact 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 anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!