In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You need to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious calamity because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, seeing that you don’t have other spare checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!