Backgammon – 3 General Plans

[ English ]

In very general terms, there are 3 basic plans used. You must be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!

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