In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three chief tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses 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 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time calamity 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 two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!