Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!