In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 fundamental tactics used. You must be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-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 as you can while keeping your opponent 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 competitor is now in serious difficulty taking into account that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, because you do not have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!