In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 general strategies employed. You must be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!