In exceptionally simple terms, there are three chief tactics employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point filled by at least two of your checkers.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!