Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
Posted in Backgammon on 04/26/2008 04:04 pm by Lillie
In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 chief plans used. You need to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time difficulty seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opponentto get them in this situation!