In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 general plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious difficulty taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!