In exceptionally simple terms, there are three fundamental strategies employed. You need to be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious dire straits because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchors are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this straight away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you do not have any other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!