Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 general plans employed. You must be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other extra 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 opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!