Countering Strong Backgammon Opening Moves

Opening games play pivotal role to the success of players pursuing a career in playing backgammon. Opening games affect the tactics and strategies that they employ during middle games. In addition, opening moves help players find strong positions for their checkers. Because of these reasons, it is essential that backgammon players know how to counter strong opening moves that other players employ in official games.

To successfully country strong opening moves in backgammon, players should calculate every move of their opponents and carefully study the positions of opposing checkers. To help beginners beat other backgammon players, this artic discusses possible counter moves for several strong opening moves.

Opening Moves That Require Players to Maintain a One-Point Gap

It is necessary that players maintain a one point gap if opposing checkers make one of these opening moves, five and three, four and two, three and one, and six and one. Aside from maintaining a gap between checkers, players should also try to create new posts. Hence, establishing new posts can help players prevent opposing checkers from entering their side of the board.

When to Advance Checkers in Opening Games

Players should advance their checkers if their opponents get a roll of either six and five or six and four. Meanwhile, if opponents roll a six and three or six and two, players need to advance their checkers toward points 18, 16 and 11. Lastly, if opponents roll either a three and two or four and three, the best counter move is to hit the four-point and five-point.

Splitting the Checkers in the Upper Board

If opponents roll a five and one or four and one, players can split their checkers on the upper side of the board. However, if opponents split their checkers, the best counter move to employ is to occupy either one-point or seven-point. However, if opponents roll a two and one, the best move is to make an immediate hit or build the 11-point or the 23-point. Players can also build the 22-point or the 8-point if a dice roll shows a five and two.

Knowing how to counter strong opening moves allow players to prevent opposing checkers from occupying the best points in the board. In addition, they can also have good preparations for middle games, which will surely help them employ efficient tactics. This, being able to counter opening moves opens good opportunities to players to build strong points and posts in the entire game.