In exceptionally general terms, there are three basic tactics used. You must be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of building a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate course of action at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty considering that they have two 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 pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there is no point having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your competitor is moving their pieces home, because you do not have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you might maintain your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!