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In very general terms, there are three basic game plans employed. You must be able to switch game plans instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!