In astonishingly general terms, there are three chief strategies used. You need to be able to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!