In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 chief tactics employed. You want to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious calamity since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!