Backgammon – 3 General Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 10/06/2023 05:26 am by Zaire
In very general terms, there are three general strategies employed. You want to be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick 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 acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!