Backgammon – Three Basic Plans

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main game plans used. You must be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious difficulty because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!