Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three chief game plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious calamity because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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