In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three main game plans used. You need to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, because you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!