In astonishingly general terms, there are three main game plans employed. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time calamity considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The better places for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!