Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 general plans employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!