In astonishingly general terms, there are three basic game plans used. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!