Backgammon – Three Basic Plans
In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 main strategies employed. You must be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time trouble because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!