Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic game plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
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