In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 chief tactics employed. You must be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right 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 favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!