In very general terms, there are 3 basic strategies used. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking 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 five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble due to the fact that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The best places for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!