Backgammon – Three Main Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 03/24/2022 11:25 am by Lillie
In extraordinarily general terms, there are three chief techniques used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful 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 required to break down this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!