Backgammon – 3 General Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 06/30/2024 03:25 pm by Madisyn
In very simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques employed. You want to be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!