In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief strategies employed. You must be able to switch game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!