Backgammon

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic techniques used. You must be agile enough to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 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 six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious difficulty since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!