In very simple terms, there are 3 general game plans used. You must be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious difficulty seeing that 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 more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, because you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!