Backgammon – Three Basic Plans
In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 main plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!