In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 main game plans used. You want to be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!