Backgammon – 3 General Strategies
Sunday, 1. December 2019
In very simple terms, there are three main tactics used. You must be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious calamity considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: besides, 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 down this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada