In very general terms, there are three chief tactics used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious calamity seeing that they have two 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 competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, seeing that you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!