In very general terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans employed. You need to be able to switch tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!