Backgammon – Three General Schemes

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In exceptionally general terms, there are three main plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious calamity seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked 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 point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!