In very simple terms, there are three main strategies used. You need to be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can achieve, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable tactic at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and moves one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your challenger is now in serious calamity considering that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to get them in this situation!