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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans employed. You need to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious calamity taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!