Blocking
2:23 AM
The game of Backgammon is more then a race against your opponent to see who can bring their checkers fastest to their home board. It involves one of the key strategies in backgammon which is the blocking method, which is when a player hinders his opponents advance on the board by keeping points blocked and putting checkers on the bar.
The strategy of blocking in backgammon should be planned from the start, so a player can look a few moves forward and plan his strategy.
Building Points in a Row
A point is when two or more of your checkers occupy that space. When having a checker on the bar, having a point in your home board is a basic blocking strategy as your opponent will not be able to enter. If you build several consecutive points this would greatly hinder your opponents advance. This backgammon blocking strategy not only helps you to finish your opponent but to score more points.
Prime Blocking
A Prime Backgammon Blocking
One of the backgammon blocking strategy is a prime Block. A prime block is when consecutive rows are occupied by two or more checkers and prevent the opponent from continuing to advance their checkers. If there is a gap between your points it is called a “broken gap”.
Lets have a look at an example of the prime blocking strategy: Black has his checkers in the four point and the following points up to the ten point are occupied by two of white's checkers. The effectiveness of this blocking strategy is that whatever the roll of the dice, the black checker will not be able to advance on the board (as the six points ahead of him are blocked) and is subsequently stuck on the four point. This blocking strategy will be in effect until white has moved or played one of the points from 5-10. This type of blocking strategy is the strongest and is called the “six-prime block”, because six consecutive points are blocked. This backgammon blocking technique is probably the most commonly used technique.
The Advantage of Prime Blocking
Looking at the previous example of the blocking strategy called the “prime block”, it is evident that the white player has an obvious edge and is most likely to win the game. What this blocking strategy enables a player is to somewhat maintain the block and start to bear off before his opponent does. This blocking strategy is also a great contributor in achieving gammons and backgammons. If you are successful in this blocking strategy and are able to build a prime block, you should consider doubling the stakes since you are the favorite to win and most likely to make more points.
How to Block Your Opponent
To be successful in applying the backgammon blocking strategy, simply follow these rules:
·Try to make consecutive points. This will help you achieve a prime block.
·Try to build points in the middle of the board. As much as home board primes are helpful, they do not block your opponents advance.
·Try not to move one checkers at a time aim to move them together. Even if they are not forming any blocks, they can be set up to become ones later on.
·Some blocks can be relevant when having your opponent on the bar, such as having consecutive points in your home board which will prevent your opponent from entering. This is a very good blocking strategy.
The blocking strategy in backgammon is an integral part of the game but it needs practice. You can practice the blocking strategy playing online backgammon and try to focus on building blocking points or primes in your practice session.
