In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main plans used. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!