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Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 general strategies used. You want to be able to switch techniques instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!