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What is the Back Game?
One interesting strategy in backgammon is called the back game. There are backgammon players who would not favor using this strategy. But to those who really understand the strengths of the back game, they are the ones who really appreciate this backgammon strategy.
There will always be times when you will be behind in the backgammon race. We all need to realize that at some point we may have to switch from our current strategy to a different one. When such a situation occurs, the back game is not only a viable strategy but it is also an effective one.
An essential feature of the back game is being able to control two or more points on your opponent's home board. The two points you control don't have to be right next to each other. These two points serve at least two purposes in a back game.
The first use of the controlled points is to hinder your opponent's movement. These points would be less areas where your opponent's checkers can land on. Your opponent is already in the lead. In that case, why do we have to make the end game easier for that player?
Another purpose of those points is to give you a chance to hit your opponent's checkers during the end game. You can hit your opponent's checkers as they cross over into your opponent's outer board. You can also hit your opponent's checkers when they are being born off.
The back game is a gamble when it is executed during a backgammon game. It is quite a difficult strategy to pull off and would require some planning. At times, if your luck runs out a back game can lose.
Another key to make a back game a success is to have at least ten checkers on your home board. These checkers would be positioned to contain the enemy checkers you hit. Another important key to a successful back game is to be quite behind in the pip count.
If you lag behind in the pip count you have less chances of breaking up the prime you have set up to contain any checker you hit. It would be devastating if you would have to break your prime when you already have checkers contained.
There are players who would not recommend using the back game as an over all strategy. But those who understand the mechanics and can plan their back game ahead can use this devious strategy to their advantage.