Backgammon – Three Basic Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 08/02/2026 11:25 am by Zaire
In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious calamity because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!