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Strategies and game
play
Anyone can play backgammon that is the good news, and with the
introduction of online backgammon playing the game just got a whole
lot easier for players around the globe. But playing the game, well
that requires a different approach, because though the basics are easy
to understand and follow there is a lot more involved.
This is why deciding your best strategy is the most important aspect
of playing: which positions, where to place your checkers, should you
go for a more aggressive game or do you play a defensive game? all key
questions when deciding what game to play.
So question one: I am new to backgammon what is the best strategy for
me?
Probably the best way to learn the game in the most direct way is to
play The Running game, at it is the most straightforward of all the
various strategies. Usually considered to be the best strategy for
beginners. With a very clear agenda which is this - avoid being hit,
or getting trapped, or ending up in mutually blocked stand-offs.
How you achieve this is by getting your checkers to your side of the
board as quickly as possible, without holding any checkers on your
opponent's side of the board. Your first priority therefore is to get
the deepest checkers those inside your opponent's homeboard out of
there, quickly.
The Running Game is a good way to play when you're in front of the
game.
Question Two: What is an Anchor and when should I play it?
An Anchor is a point held by a minimum of 2 of your pieces.
Determining where to place your Anchor is crucial to the set up of the
game. Opening an anchor means you want to remove (or sometimes have to
remove) a piece from an anchor leaving the remaining piece vulnerable.
When playing the game try to reach your early game targets as soon as
possible. The quicker you achieve this you improve your chances and
choices, leaving you better equipped to focus on your opponent and
their strategy, as well as maintaining your own momentum.
Question Three: Should You I Be Defensive or Aggressive?
Perhaps it's a question of initiative do you want to take the lead
role here. Or just sit back and let your opponent do their best?
Veteran players tend to go for the attack principle, preferring to
take the fight to the opposition. This also determines the speed of
the games, and capitalises on the risk taking principle, the more
risks the better the chances of victory. Or the more risks the more
reckless your strategy can become and the more vulnerable you become.
One risk too many and you lose. But it does at least make it more fun
this way.
Given that the opponent is now thrown into a defensive game, they will
look to set up strategies to hinder your progress one of these can be
in their anchoring positions.
Question Four: I prefer to play defensive what can I do?
You can try the The Priming Game, this requires you to build with your
checkers a 6 long wall of checkers or as long as you can build it.
The purpose of this is aimed at stopping your opponent's movement
behind your wall. With 6 spots blocked your opposition can't pass even
if they throw a six. He is paraylised, with checkers stuck on your
side of the board. unable to take pieces out.
The additional Anchor strategy he employed has now backfired and he
has to wait for you to move, unable to do anything about it.
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