Backgammon

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general game plans used. You need to be able to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger 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 six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, because you do not have other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!