In extraordinarily general terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You must be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious dire straits taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s 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 opposer is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!