Bearing In

When bearing in against a two-point game, it is always good to have spare checkers on the 6-point. The bar-point can be a tough point to clear, and 5's can get awkward. Every checker on the 6-point can help.

It is generally wrong to put checkers on the one-point when bearing in against a two-point game.

Coming in against a 1-3 Backgame, it is generally correct to get a lot of spares on the 5-point. Once all of the checkers are home, these spares can handle 5's & 3's before you clear the 6-point.

Use spare ones to unstack & fill gaps in your home board; don't waste them limping pathetically home.