Backgammon – 3 General Strategies
In very general terms, there are three general techniques employed. You must be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!