Backgammon – 3 Main Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 03/06/2024 10:25 am by Zaire
In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques used. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial 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 competitor is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!