Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three main techniques used. You want to be able to hop between game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious difficulty since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your chances. The better 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 an effectual backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!