Backgammon – Three General Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 05/03/2016 12:21 pm by ZaireIn extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 main game plans used. You need to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious difficulty because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!