In extraordinarily general terms, there are three general plans employed. You need to be able to hop between strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!