In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 chief techniques used. You must be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!