In very general terms, there are three basic strategies used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you are able to manage, to lock in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable procedure at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious difficulty because they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher checkers in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchors are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is essential for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this right away, while your opposer is moving their checkers home, because you don’t have any other extra pieces to shift! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this case!