Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three fundamental plans employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity due to the fact 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 higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!