Backgammon – 3 Main Strategies
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 main strategies employed. You need to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious calamity because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!