Backgammon – 3 Main Schemes
Posted in Backgammon on 10/16/2024 05:25 pm by Madisyn
In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You must be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!