In astonishingly simple terms, there are three main techniques employed. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time dire straits since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, 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 right away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this case!