Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes

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In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic plans used. You want to be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!