In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic strategies employed. You must be able to switch tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might manage, to barricade in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate procedure at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in big-time dire straits since they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as this strategy greatly improves your opportunities. The better areas for anchors are close to your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this right away, while your competitor is getting their pieces home, considering that you don’t have any other extra checkers to move! In this case, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position up until your opposer gives you an opportunity to hit, so it will be a good idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!