Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 general game plans used. You need to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best places for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!