In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 chief strategies used. You need to be able to switch tactics almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious calamity taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be used when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The best areas for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!