Backgammon

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 main game plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious dire straits taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!