Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic plans employed. You want to be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, 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 apart this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!
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