Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general techniques employed. You want to be able to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic 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 continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious trouble seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!
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