Backgammon – 3 General Schemes
In exceptionally simple terms, there are three chief strategies employed. You want to be able to switch game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious dire straits because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!