Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic game plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure 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 match advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better places for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!