Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes
In very general terms, there are three general strategies used. You need to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time trouble since they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
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