Backgammon – Three Main Strategies
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 general tactics employed. You need to be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious dire straits seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason 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 challenger is getting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!