In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You want to be able to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this plan greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest areas for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, 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 straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!