Backgammon

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three main game plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!