In astonishingly simple terms, there are 3 general strategies used. You must be able to hop between game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you might manage, to lock in the competitor’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 build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you don’t have any other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!