Backgammon – Three Main Techniques
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief strategies employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have 2 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 opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
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