Backgammon

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In very simple terms, there are three fundamental game plans employed. You want to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time difficulty since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!