In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 main plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time calamity because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!