Backgammon – Three Main Schemes

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In very general terms, there are three basic tactics used. You must be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!