In very general terms, there are 3 basic tactics used. You want to be able to hop between techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quick 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 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity taking into account that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!