Backgammon – 3 General Schemes
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three general tactics employed. You must be able to hop between techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this situation!