Backgammon – Three General Techniques

In astonishingly general terms, there are three general tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your chances. The best places for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!

Backgammon – Three Main Plans

In exceptionally simple terms, there are three chief techniques employed. You need to be able to switch tactics instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!