In very general terms, there are three general techniques employed. You want to be able to switch tactics quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!