In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental tactics used. You must be able to switch game plans instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to lock in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your competitor tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your competitor is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or more checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point occupied by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It should be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your chances. The strongest places for anchor spots are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: besides, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up till your challenger gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your opponent to hit them in this case!