Backgammon – 3 General Schemes

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In very simple terms, there are three general plans employed. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!