Backgammon – 3 General Schemes

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In very simple terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans used. You must be able to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious trouble since they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!