Posted by Darien | Posted in Backgammon | Posted on 03-06-2026
In very simple terms, there are 3 general game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious trouble because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!