Backgammon – Three Main Strategies
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious calamity since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, because you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!