Backgammon – 3 General Plans

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In very simple terms, there are 3 chief plans employed. You need to be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your chances. The better places for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!