Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes

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In extraordinarily general terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You must be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between 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 competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!