In exceptionally simple terms, there are three basic plans employed. You want to be able to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early two and moves 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 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious trouble taking into account that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The better areas for anchors are near your competitor’s smaller points and either on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is important for a competent 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 apart this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their checkers home, considering that you don’t have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a wonderful idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!