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Las Vegas 2024 Super
Bowl Streaker!

In astonishingly general terms, there are three chief techniques used. You need to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!

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