Backgammon – 3 Basic Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 07/02/2022 05:25 am by Madisyn
In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic game plans used. You must be able to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build 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 involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!