Backgammon – Three General Schemes

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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 main techniques employed. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the start 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 advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!