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Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In very general terms, there are three basic game plans used. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this case!