Backgammon – Three Main Plans

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental techniques used. You need to be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!