Backgammon – Three Main Strategies
In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 general strategies used. You want to be able to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
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