In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You must be able to switch strategies almost instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your challenger rolls an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have two or more pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are decidedly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: besides, there’s no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, taking into account that you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!