In very general terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You must be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece 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 eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, 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 apart this straight away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!