Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 06/18/2019 03:25 am by Jillian
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three basic game plans employed. You must be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious calamity considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!