In astonishingly simple terms, there are three general plans used. You must be agile enough to switch strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of creating a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as thick as you can manage, to block in your competitor’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most acceptable procedure at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anyplace within your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game advances.
The Blitz
This consists of locking your home board as quick as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger rolls an early two and shifts one checker from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious dire straits due to the fact that they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor is a point consisting of at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be employed when you are decidedly behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is crucial for a competent backgame: after all, there’s no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have other additional pieces to move! In this case, it’s more favorable to have pieces on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor gives you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a good idea to try and get your opposer to hit them in this case!