In very general terms, there are three basic plans used. You must be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opposer tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!