Backgammon – Three General Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 01/16/2026 02:25 pm by Zaire
In astonishingly general terms, there are three general tactics used. You need to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent 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 complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!