Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques

In very simple terms, there are 3 main tactics used. You must be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, because you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!

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