Backgammon – Three General Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 07/05/2024 01:25 pm by Zaire
In very simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies employed. You must be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!