In astonishingly simple terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 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 getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!
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