In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic strategies used. You want to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity taking into account that they have 2 checkers 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 a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!