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Bowl Streaker!

In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic techniques used. You must be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble since they have 2 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 position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your opponent's lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there's no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don't have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!