In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!