Backgammon – 3 General Techniques
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 general techniques employed. You must be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can build 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 consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now 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 course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!