Archive for February 5th, 2018

Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques

Posted in Backgammon on 02/05/2018 05:25 am by Zaire

In exceptionally simple terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You need to be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!