In astonishingly simple terms, there are three main strategies employed. You want to be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!