Backgammon – Three General Schemes
In very simple terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!