In very general terms, there are 3 fundamental game plans employed. You need to be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as it much improves your chances. The best locations for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!