In extraordinarily general terms, there are three general strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious trouble considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!