In very general terms, there are 3 basic strategies used. You need to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy much improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!