Backgammon – Three Main Plans

[ English ]

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

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!

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