Overview of Strategies Commonly Employed
Here is a general overview of some commonly employed strategies. A player will come across one of these at one time or another, or that player may even employ any of these when necessary. It is best that we are prepared to meet them or use them at any point during play.
Building One's Home Board
This strategy focuses more on making a lot of points or anchors on the home board. This strategy obviously has 2 distinct advantages. Controlling that many points on the home board complicates an escape for your enemy checkers.
The other advantage is that whenever you hit enemy blots those checkers will have considerable difficulty reentering. This would prevent your opponent from continuing and he would have to forfeit turns in the game leaving you with freedom on the board.
Playing A Simple Combination
This is a slight variation of the strategy presented above. Other than establishing points to impede the opponent's movement, when an opportunity arises (or when the coast is clear) a player can move his two runners who are at the opponent's home board. Opportunities to move the runners would include moments when the opponent forfeits a move or a turn.
Playing Safe on the Board
This backgammon strategy focuses on having just a few blots as much as possible. This strategy also employs a lot of points on the board. This strategy is does not guarantee an advantage over the other player. The draw back is that opportunities for winning the game are lost by playing it too safe. Remember that though a player has lots of points covered a good double roll makes enemy pieces escape at a run.
Playing Bold Moves
This strategy involves taking a lot of risks compared to the previous strategy. The risks in this strategy comes by exposing pieces through blots. One idea behind this strategy is to obtain strategic positions though taking risks. Another idea behind this strategy is to tempt your opponent into making hits - unwittingly exposing his pieces. This strategy may easily lead to victory or become a one way ticket to defeat.
Escape and Cover the Runners
A player's runners (the back men at the opponent's home board) are peculiar targets at times. A part of a player's strategy should also consider the escape of these two checkers. Since these two checkers are situated at your opponent's home board timing the escape becomes quite crucial. You better get it done real quick especially when you see your opponent has considerable control of his home board. Two rolls a player may consider as a quick escape is a 6 and 5 or a 6 and 6. These rolls more often than not would not leave your runners open.
Learn the Back Game
Though most players don't really love the back game, this strategy counts when you really don't have any choice. A back game consists in making anchors on your opponent's home board. These act as impediments when bearing off, and a considerable threat because these can make hits late in the game.
Learning other players' regular strategic patterns adds to a player's arsenal. Whether a player may wish to counter a certain strategy or employ one for himself having a firm understanding of commonly employed strategies is invaluable.