Backgammon – 3 General Techniques
In exceptionally general terms, there are three fundamental strategies used. You must be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!