Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques
In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You need to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!