Backgammon – Three General Plans
In very simple terms, there are 3 main tactics used. You want to be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher 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 areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!
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