In very simple terms, there are three chief game plans used. You need to be agile enough to hop between tactics instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This consists of assembling a 6-deep wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you can achieve, to barricade in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can assemble the wall anyplace inbetween your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in serious calamity taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It must be used when you are decidedly behind as this plan greatly improves your chances. The best areas for anchors are near your competitor’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, because you do not have any other extra checkers to shift! In this case, it is more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be an excellent idea to try and get your competitor to hit them in this case!