Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies
In exceptionally general terms, there are three general techniques used. You need to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!