In extraordinarily general terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You want to be able to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, 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 start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your chances. The best places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!