Backgammon – 3 Basic Techniques
Sunday, 17. August 2025
In very general terms, there are three general techniques used. You must be able to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious calamity since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!
Posted in Backgammon by Jada