In very simple terms, there are three chief plans used. You want to be able to hop between game plans instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!