In very general terms, there are three basic strategies used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!