Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes
In extraordinarily general terms, there are three fundamental strategies used. You want to be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this case!
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