Backgammon

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In very simple terms, there are 3 chief techniques employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two 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 opponent is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!