In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You must be able to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift 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 opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The better places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!