Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You need to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!