In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 general strategies employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between techniques instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious trouble because they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!