In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 chief tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible 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 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is then in serious calamity since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!