Backgammon – 3 General Plans
by Erin on Friday, May 20th, 2022
In exceptionally general terms, there are three main game plans used. You need to be able to switch game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until 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 situation!
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