Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 10/25/2016 02:25 am by Jillian
In very general terms, there are 3 chief strategies employed. You want to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!