Backgammon – Three General Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 08/04/2024 01:25 pm by Madisyn
In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two 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 six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!