In extraordinarily simple terms, there are three basic game plans used. You want to be agile enough to hop between tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This comprises of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you can manage, to barricade in your competitor’s pieces that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most suitable tactic at the start of the match. You can assemble the wall anywhere within 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 as you can while keeping your opposer on the bar. e.g., if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is then in serious trouble due to the fact that they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum two of your pieces.) It must be played when you are decidedly behind as this action greatly improves your chances. The strongest areas for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effective backgame: at the end of the day, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this right away, while your challenger is getting their pieces home, seeing that you don’t have other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it’s better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this situation!