In very general terms, there are three main plans employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious difficulty because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!