In astonishingly simple terms, there are three chief techniques used. You want to be agile enough to switch game plans almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in the opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a five-five, you are able to play six/one 6/1 8/3 eight/three. Your opponent is then in big-time trouble taking into account that they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This course of action is where you have 2 or more checkers in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position occupied by at least two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are significantly behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent’s lower points and also on abutting points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you do not have other extra checkers to move! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a great idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this situation!