Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 12/03/2015 07:21 am by Madisyn
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You want to be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!