Backgammon

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three fundamental game plans used. You need to be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!