Backgammon – Three Basic Schemes
In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 chief techniques used. You need to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious dire straits since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor's smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it's better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!
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