Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 04/25/2023 03:25 am by Madisyn
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 chief tactics employed. You want to be able to hop between strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!