Backgammon

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief techniques employed. You need to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!