In very general terms, there are three fundamental plans employed. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is then in serious dire straits considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are decidedly behind as this strategy much improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!