In exceptionally simple terms, there are 3 chief game plans used. You want to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time calamity considering that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have two or higher anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is critical for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it can be an excellent idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!