10.12
Backgammon – 3 General Techniques
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief game plans employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!