Backgammon – Three General Techniques
In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral 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 required to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!
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