In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic plans employed. You need to be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time calamity since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best locations for anchor spots are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opponent gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!