Backgammon – 3 General Strategies
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three fundamental techniques used. You must be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious trouble since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!