Backgammon – Three Main Plans

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

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!