Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes

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In very simple terms, there are 3 basic plans employed. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!