In very simple terms, there are three fundamental strategies used. You need to be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious dire straits since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!