Backgammon – Three General Plans

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In very simple terms, there are three general plans used. You must be able to switch game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!