Backgammon – 3 Basic Strategies
by Caden on Wednesday, November 29th, 2023
In very simple terms, there are three general game plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious dire straits since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
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