Backgammon – Three Main Schemes
In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 main plans used. You must be able to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time dire straits because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!