Backgammon – Three Main Strategies
In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 chief strategies employed. You want to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious trouble considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The better areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason 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 moving their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!