Backgammon – 3 General Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 09/12/2015 02:21 pm by Madisyn
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief tactics used. You need to be able to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!