Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 basic game plans used. You need to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!