Backgammon – Three Basic Plans

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In very general terms, there are three main tactics used. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!