Backgammon – Three Main Schemes
In very general terms, there are 3 general techniques employed. You must be able to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, 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 acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opponent is getting their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!