Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 08/26/2020 09:25 am by Madisyn
In very general terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!