Backgammon

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In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 general game plans employed. You want to be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious difficulty considering that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!