In exceptionally general terms, there are three main techniques used. You need to be able to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time calamity seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!