In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general tactics employed. You must be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-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 quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!