Backgammon Strategy

For Backgammon players, just as for poker players, strategy is extremely essential. By building an action strategy prior to the game players can radically improve their winning chances. This way they can forecast and even ''be in command'' of their opponent's moves. Obviously, before getting to know this game's strategy, players should be familiar with the basic concept and rules of the game.
Here are some ideas to keep in mind when trying to conclude the finest strategy for a particular backgammon state.

Anchoring
Anchoring manufactures a defensive point (anchor) in the inner board of your enemy. This gives you one point of landing and prevents your competitor from forming his main board. As early as possible attempt to establish the anchors in the higher points (20, 21). If you become significantly behind in the game, the lower points (22.23.24) become more valuable, since your strategy is to establish your inner board and wait for a shot. If you have two anchors, try to hold them in the adjacent points. A method, which is frequently used to get checkers in to perform as anchors, is recirculation. The recirculation refers intentionally to permit, a blot to be hit with the goal of reduction of time in order to conserve other valuable points.

Blocking
In order to prevent an escaping of the competitor's checkers at your home board, aim to placing your checkers without gaps between them (a blockade) directly in front of the competitor's checkers. A prime blockade, six point in a row in the player's home board, it would be impossible for the competitor's checkers to escape. It is also recommended to consider shifting points (giving up one point in order to make an adjacent point) if it helps creating a blockade.

Distributing
Make an effort to distribute your checkers as even as possible across the board. It is recommended to have three checkers on 2 different points than four checkers on 1 and two on the other. Having six or more checkers on a point is rarely needed. A player with five or six checkers on one point will have less flexibility to use his rolls than one with even distribution. Moreover, try to keep your checkers within 6 pips from each other.

Duplicating
Try to set your checkers so that two of the competitor's desired movements in the different parts of the board require both the same die value. This technique would reduce the competitor's good rolls. E.G. if you must leave two uncovered points, try setting them the same distance away from the possible attackers. If competitor needs a certain die value to leave the bar, try setting your checkers uncovered on the same die value as this of the competitor needs in order to enter his checker.

Exposing
It is the sometimes good strategy to leave blots early in the game so that they can be used, in order to manufacture a strong offense or a defense. These blots are frequently called slots. Slots are individual checkers, which are left uncovered on one point the player desires with the intention of covering the mark on the following turn. However, later in the game, if you are in a weaker position, consider consolidating. Consolidating refers to dropping your number of blots.

Hitting
It is generally more valuable to strike the most advanced of the opponent checkers or those which your opponent would like to cover. However attempt striking the checkers of your competitor, only if it is profitable to do so. E.G. attempt to strike checkers which your competitor, for establishing an important point, would like to cover later. Avoid striking, if your competitor has already checkers on the bar and you can establish another valuable point, if you do not strike. If you decide to strike, try to cover in sight of a possible return hit.