In extraordinarily general terms, there are three main strategies used. You need to be able to hop between tactics almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable strategy at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early 2 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 8/3. Your opponent is then in serious calamity seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least two of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for an effective backgame: after all, there’s no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to dismantle this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a great idea to attempt and get your challenger to hit them in this situation!