Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three general strategies employed. You need to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better places for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!

Read more about the
Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In extraordinarily simple terms, there are 3 main techniques used. You need to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious dire straits seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!