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Blocking in Backgammon
When playing backgammon, one remembers that he or she should race with the opponent as to who can bring their checkers to the home board. Hence, players see this backgammon objective as a priority, thereby focusing on the positions of their own checkers. However, another important thing is to block your opponent's checkers for you to stay ahead of the race.
Such strategy is called blocking. To perform such tactic, one should create obstacles against the opponent's checkers to prevent or stall them from reaching the game's objective, which is to bring home the checkers. There are some ways in which you can execute the strategy of blocking your opponent's checkers.
One way to execute blocking is to assemble consecutive points in a row. It is good to install a point in your home board so that the board cannot be penetrated. As soon as you build points that are side-by-side, your opponent is completely blocked from entering.
This leads us to another important way to use the backgammon blocking technique, which is the prime blocking. This is when you specifically install two or more checkers in consecutive points.
As you implement the blocking strategy, aim to move the checkers together. Also, when creating the consecutive points, make sure that they are placed at the middle of the board.
The "six-prime block" is said to be the strongest position that you can build when it comes to the blocking strategy. For instance, when your opponent has his or her checkers on the four-point, place your checkers on the fifth up to the tenth point (six points in total). This position favors your side simply because your opponent is blocked at the four-point, whatever the outcome of the dice might be. Also, study carefully if your blocking move is good enough for you to touch the doubling cube and offer to double the stakes.
Obviously, by successfully installing a prime block, your opponent will get stuck on a point wherein he cannot move his or her checkers. This makes it impossible for your opponent to achieve the basic objective of backgammon. Hence, you have the greater chance of winning, especially if you maintain the block long enough after you have started bearing off your checkers.
Blocking is an effective strategy that guarantees victory when executed successfully. All you have to do is to study the board, create the positions for blocking, and maintain that advantageous position.
