In very simple terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You must be able to hop between techniques quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time dire straits due to the fact that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this case!