Backgammon – 3 Main Plans

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In very simple terms, there are 3 chief game plans employed. You must be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!