In very simple terms, there are 3 general tactics employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious calamity due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home 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 point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point 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 competitor is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!