In very simple terms, there are 3 fundamental strategies used. You must be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable course of action at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break down this straight away, while your competitor is moving their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other additional pieces to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!