In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic techniques used. You must be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious calamity since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!
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