Backgammon

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 general plans used. You must be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious dire straits considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!