In very general terms, there are three basic tactics used. You want to be agile enough to switch techniques almost instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opponent tosses an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in serious calamity because they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or more pieces in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are close to your opponent’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for an effectual backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have other extra pieces to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!