Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 04/29/2023 05:25 am by Zaire
In very simple terms, there are three general strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies almost 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 deep as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty 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 two or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare pieces 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 opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!