In very general terms, there are three chief plans employed. You must be able to switch game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable tactic at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!