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Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 general game plans employed. You need to be able to switch techniques quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this action greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this situation!