Backgammon – 3 General Techniques
Posted in Backgammon on 12/20/2023 06:25 am by Jillian
In very simple terms, there are 3 general strategies used. You need to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!