A Crash Course in Backgammon Blitz
There is a reason why the backgammon blitz is often described as one of the really exciting strategies employed by players. For the most part, the blitz involves a lot of agressive attacks on your opponent. It is interesting that a it is quite difficult to defend against a strategy like this when it is executed correctly. That having been said, you can also be sure that reversals of fortunes can also occur whenever the backgammon blitz is put into use.
We will first look into an example of how a backgammon blitz would start in a game. For a blitz to occur, your opponent will have to get his back men split apart. If you get a double and hit one or even both of your opponent's back men this is a signal of a possible start. Another signal is being able to establish home board points in the process. And to top it all, your opponent isn't able to enter at least one checker from the bar.
The situation we've shown so far is a picture perfect example of getting the blitz started in backgammon. But you can be sure that there are other ways where a blitz can start. Rolling a double just makes it easier to execute the blitz whenever the opportunity presents itself.
You might ask what is the point to all the aggressive hitting involved when playing the blitz on your opponent. Obviously the first objective of the backgammon blitz is to put your opponent's checkers on the bar. The idea is to keep them on the bar as long as possible. The ideal checkers you want to hit are the runners or back men. Another important goal is to keep the opposing checkers on the bar by building home board points (thus giving them less choices to land on). To help with this goal, you should bring down builders from your mid point.
The next question is when do we offer to double when we have a blitz going on. If you're playing the blitz on your opponent you should offer the cube only on two situations. First situation is when you have at least three home board points made. This means your opponent has a 50% chance of entering from the bar, which is pretty good for you. Another situation you should seriously consider offering the cube is when your opponent is unable to enter a checker from the bar in the previous turn.
This is our crash course into the backgammon blitz. It is an aggressive form of strategy that brings excitement every time it is used in backgammon.