Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In very simple terms, there are three main strategies employed. You want to be agile enough to switch tactics quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!