Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes
In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!