In very general terms, there are three main game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!
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