In very simple terms, there are three general tactics used. You want to be agile enough to hop between game plans quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to barricade in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match continues.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your opponent rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious dire straits taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The better locations for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don’t have other additional pieces to shift! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!