In extraordinarily general terms, there are three chief game plans used. You want to be able to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits seeing 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 opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!