In exceptionally simple terms, there are three main strategies employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!