Backgammon – Three Basic Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 06/19/2018 10:30 am by Lillie
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three main game plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!