Solve the following math problem efficiently and clearly:

- For simple problems (2 steps or fewer):
Provide a concise solution with minimal explanation.

- For complex problems (3 steps or more):
Use this step-by-step format:

## Step 1: [Concise description]
[Brief explanation and calculations]

## Step 2: [Concise description]
[Brief explanation and calculations]

...

Regardless of the approach, always conclude with:

Therefore, the final answer is: $oxed{answer}$. I hope it is correct.

Where [answer] is just the final number or expression that solves the problem.

Problem: Each of the nine dots in this figure is to be colored red, white or blue. No two dots connected by a segment (with no other dots between) may be the same color. How many ways are there to color the dots of this figure?

[asy]
draw((-75,0)--(-45,0)--(-60,26)--cycle);
draw((0,0)--(30,0)--(15,26)--cycle);
draw((75,0)--(105,0)--(90,26)--cycle);
draw((-60,26)--(90,26));
draw((-45,0)--(75,0));
dot((-75,0));
dot((-45,0));
dot((-60,26));
dot((15,26));
dot((0,0));
dot((30,0));
dot((90,26));
dot((75,0));
dot((105,0));
[/asy]
user