Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!