Backgammon – Three Basic Plans

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief strategies employed. You want to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!