In very simple terms, there are 3 basic techniques employed. You must be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!