Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You need to be able to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can create 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 involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!