Backgammon – 3 General Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 07/12/2019 05:25 pm by Zaire
In very simple terms, there are 3 chief strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time calamity since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, because you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!