In astonishingly general terms, there are three fundamental plans employed. You need to be able to switch techniques instantly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This is composed of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. e.g., if your competitor rolls an early 2 and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your challenger is then in big-time trouble since they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This tactic is where you have 2 or more anchors in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your pieces.) It would be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchor spots are close to your competitor’s smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this right away, while your challenger is moving their checkers home, considering that you don’t have other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have pieces on the bar so that you might maintain your position up till your opponent provides you a chance to hit, so it can be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!