In very simple terms, there are three chief strategies used. You need to be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your competitor 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 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this case!