Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques

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In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 main techniques employed. You want to be able to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!