In very simple terms, there are three fundamental tactics employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might achieve, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in big-time dire straits considering 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 more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The best locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!