In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time dire straits seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: after all, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, considering that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!