In extraordinarily general terms, there are three basic plans employed. You need to be able to hop between game plans instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!