Building Blocks of Backgammon Strategy
When beginners are introduced to the concepts of backgammon strategy they may get confused and think that we're talking about very complicated processes in a game. Fortunately, the strategy in backgammon isn't as complex as the ones you would use for a game of chess. You can draw a few parallels between backgammon strategy and that for checkers though there will obviously be differences.
Since you will also be using checkers and dice in backgammon, two significant difference in strategy in this game will be a player's skill level and luck. As you gain experience, you will see that skill will often transcend whatever luck another player has. Players can even make their own luck in this game and appear to be getting the better rolls even if the odds are just the same for the other player.
Let's dissect the building blocks of backgammon strategy to illustrate how uncomplicated things are. There are basically three things you can do in order to effectuate a proper strategy. The first one is make and control strategic points on the board, hit any of your opposing blots, and avoid getting any of your checkers hit by not letting them get stuck in the crossfire.
To make and control points on the backgammon board, all you have to do is to place two or more checkers on a point. You then control and own that particular point, which means your opponent can't land on it. Controlling certain points on the board strengthens your position and your overall backgammon strategy. They cramp your opponent's movements and give him fewer options in the game.
The next part of your backgammon strategy is to hit any blot your opponent makes. Hitting means to land your checker on a point on the board occupied only by one of your opponent's checkers. Doing this makes that enemy checker go to the bar and work its way from the start and puts more points to your opponent's pip count.
Hitting of course takes certain risks if you can't cover the point you just hit, which means you may leave blots when you hit opposing blots. Taking risks is indeed part of the game, but if you play your strategy right, any risk you take will be calculated to your advantage or at least fair odds for both you and your opponent.
Of course, the last part of any backgammon strategy is to avoid getting your checkers hit. The significant checkers in this discussion will be your back checkers. These are the last checkers in the race and are usually your opponent's target. Any checker left behind is a disadvantage to you and will hamper any progress you might have achieved.
Backgammon strategy is based on these three fundamental principles. These serve as the building blocks of strategy in a game.