Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques
Thursday, 16. May 2024
In very general terms, there are three general techniques used. You need to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada