In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic techniques used. You need to be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the action of the match unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in the competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your 11-point and your 2-point and then move it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as fast as as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your competitor tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is then in serious difficulty due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be employed when you are extremely behind as it much improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchor spots are towards your competitor’s smaller points and also on adjacent points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: at the end of the day, there’s no point having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your challenger is moving their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare pieces to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your opponent provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your opponent to get them in this situation!