In very simple terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You want to be able to hop between tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!