Backgammon – 3 Main Techniques
In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main techniques used. You must be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious trouble seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your chances. The best places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!