Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, 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 shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!