Backgammon – 3 Main Plans
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You must be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!
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