In astonishingly simple terms, there are three chief strategies employed. You must be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!