In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main tactics employed. You need to be able to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you might achieve, to block in the competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble since they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: besides, there’s no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, considering that you do not have other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!