In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic game plans employed. You must be able to hop between strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at least 2 of your checkers.) It should be played when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with one point separating them. Timing is essential for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your opponent is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this situation!