Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 08/01/2019 03:25 pm by Jillian
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!