Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes
In very simple terms, there are 3 chief plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action 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 match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!