Backgammon – Three Main Plans
Posted in Backgammon on 10/07/2026 07:25 pm by Zaire
In very general terms, there are 3 main techniques used. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious trouble since they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!