Backgammon – Three Main Schemes

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In very simple terms, there are three chief game plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts 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 competitor is now in serious calamity since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!