Backgammon – 3 General Techniques

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Posted by Darien | Posted in Backgammon | Posted on 26-08-2020

In very general terms, there are 3 chief tactics used. You need to be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!

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