Backgammon – Three Main Schemes

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In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental techniques used. You must be able to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!