In astonishingly general terms, there are three chief strategies used. You must be able to switch game plans almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to lock in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the match advances.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious calamity since they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at least 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your circumstances. The best areas for anchors are towards your competitor’s lower points and also on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your challenger is getting their checkers home, because you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this situation!