In very general terms, there are 3 general game plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time difficulty due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!