Backgammon – Three Basic Strategies

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In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental plans used. You need to be able to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious calamity since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!