Backgammon – Three General Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 08/27/2015 11:21 am by Jillian
In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 general tactics employed. You want to be able to switch tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The better places for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!