Backgammon

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious trouble seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!