Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
In very general terms, there are three chief game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between game plans instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!