Backgammon – Three General Techniques
In very simple terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits since they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!
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