In very general terms, there are three main plans used. You want to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!
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