In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main game plans employed. You need to be able to switch game plans instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opposer is now in serious trouble since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better locations for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!