In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 basic plans used. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious calamity taking into account that they have two 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 pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!