Backgammon Information

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In very general terms, there are 3 chief techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

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

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The better places for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!