Backgammon – 3 Main Plans

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You need to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious calamity considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!