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Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies

Posted in Backgammon on 09/19/2015 04:21 pm by Lillie
[ English ]

In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 general game plans employed. You need to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!