Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 12/11/2016 09:25 pm by Jillian
In very general terms, there are 3 general plans used. You need to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time calamity seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!