Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining 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 2 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 competitor is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!