Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes

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In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 general tactics employed. You must be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious dire straits since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!