In astonishingly general terms, there are three basic plans employed. You need to be able to hop between game plans quickly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is now in serious trouble since they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!