In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. 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 is comprised of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!