In very general terms, there are three fundamental strategies employed. You must be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!