Backgammon – 3 General Techniques
In very general terms, there are 3 general strategies used. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to block in the competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious calamity taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your competitor's lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don't have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!
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