Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You need to be able to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!