In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 chief tactics used. You want to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious difficulty because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!