In very simple terms, there are three basic game plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other additional checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this case!