Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 02/14/2023 08:25 am by Madisyn
In very general terms, there are three main techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious calamity taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!