In astonishingly simple terms, there are three main techniques employed. You must be able to switch strategies instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. For example, if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your opposer is then in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 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 opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be used when you are extremely behind as this strategy greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, considering that you do not have any other additional checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position until your challenger provides you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!