Backgammon – Three General Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 07/26/2019 07:25 am by Zaire
In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, because you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!