In very simple terms, there are three fundamental strategies used. You need to be able to switch game plans quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty considering that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are decidedly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to try and get your opposer to get them in this case!