In astonishingly general terms, there are three main strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious calamity considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be used when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is critical for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up till your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this case!