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Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You must be agile enough to switch game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time difficulty taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!