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In very general terms, there are three general strategies employed. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This consists of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the competitor's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor's home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you don't have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!