Backgammon – Three Main Schemes

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls 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 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, considering that you do not have other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!