In very general terms, there are three main game plans used. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, because you do not have other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!