Archive for January 20th, 2016

Backgammon – Three Main Schemes

Posted in Backgammon on 01/20/2016 07:21 pm by Jillian

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three chief strategies used. You want to be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual 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 down this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!