Backgammon – 3 Main Plans
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three basic game plans used. You must be able to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!