In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 general plans employed. You must be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It needs to be employed when you are extremely behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!