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Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 basic plans used. You want to be able to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor's checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time difficulty because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This plan is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your competitor's lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don't have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!