Backgammon

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In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques used. You must be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!