Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans

In very simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques used. You want to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious calamity since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, because you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!

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