Backgammon – 3 General Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 12/09/2017 05:25 am by Zaire
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic plans employed. You must be agile enough to hop between strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!