In very simple terms, there are 3 chief plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent 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 up this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opposer provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!
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