Backgammon – Three Main Strategies
In astonishingly general terms, there are three basic game plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
