In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic tactics employed. You must be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable course of action at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opposer rolls an early two and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious trouble since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are decidedly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have any other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this case!