In very general terms, there are three chief strategies employed. You must be able to switch strategies quickly as the course of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is comprised of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as thick as you are able to manage, to block in the opponent’s checkers that are located on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the begining of the match. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 8/3 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time trouble since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point filled by at a minimum two of your pieces.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it much improves your chances. The better locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and either on adjacent points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your opposer is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it’s better to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!