Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!