Backgammon – 3 Main Plans

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 general tactics used. You must be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 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 home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!