Backgammon – Three Basic Techniques
by Karla on Sunday, June 12th, 2016
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general techniques employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
Posted in Backgammon | No Comments »