In very general terms, there are three main game plans employed. You need to be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious trouble because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!