The best beginner tips are to keep your checkers in pairs, make points instead of scattering them, and always play both dice numbers when you legally can. Beginners often lose by leaving too many blots, so cover lone checkers whenever possible. Learn to hit the opponent's blots and to build a couple of points in your home board so you can trap them on the bar.
- Bring all checkers home before trying to bear off.
- Roughly compare pip counts to know if you are ahead.
- Do not race blindly when you are behind; hold an anchor instead.