In exceptionally simple terms, there are three main techniques used. You need to be able to hop between tactics almost 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 might manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the match. You can create the wall anywhere within your 11-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer rolls an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play 6/1 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time difficulty seeing that they have 2 checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at least two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are extremely behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The best places for anchor spots are close to your opponent’s lower points and either on abutting points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having 2 nice anchors and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, taking into account that you don’t have any other extra checkers to shift! In this situation, it’s more tolerable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to preserve your position until your opposer provides you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opposer to get them in this case!