Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three general game plans used. You must be agile enough to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: after all, there is 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 challenger is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!