Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 12/20/2023 04:25 pm by Lillie
In exceptionally general terms, there are three general plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, considering that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!