Backgammon – Three Main Plans

by Erin on May 19th, 2020

In astonishingly simple terms, there are three main game plans employed. You need to be able to switch game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.