Backgammon – Three Main Plans

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In very simple terms, there are three general plans employed. You must be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!