In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You want to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the begining 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 advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time calamity due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!