In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief tactics employed. You must be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious calamity because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!