In very simple terms, there are three main game plans employed. You need to be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!