In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general game plans used. You must be able to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to manage, to barricade in the competitor’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time difficulty because they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have any other extra pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!