In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 chief techniques used. You need to be agile enough to switch tactics almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious dire straits taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete 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 don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!
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