Backgammon – Three Basic Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 05/25/2025 05:25 pm by Lillie
In exceptionally general terms, there are three main techniques used. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious dire straits considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!