Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes

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In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, because you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!