Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 04/23/2019 05:25 am by Zaire
In very simple terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!