Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes

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In very simple terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious trouble seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!