Backgammon – 3 Main Techniques
In exceptionally general terms, there are three general techniques used. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious trouble since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!