In very simple terms, there are 3 chief techniques used. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity because they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The better places for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!