In extraordinarily general terms, there are three basic tactics used. You want to be able to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble seeing that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!