Backgammon My Backgammon Blog

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief plans employed. You must be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in your opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits since 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 least 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are close to your competitor's smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: besides, there's no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it's better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!