Backgammon – 3 Basic Plans
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two 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 spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial 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 apart this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!

