In very general terms, there are 3 fundamental plans employed. You must be agile enough to hop between techniques almost instantly as the course of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to block in your opponent’s pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the game. You can build the wall anyplace between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.
The Blitz
This consists of closing your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your challenger on the bar. For example, if your challenger tosses an early two and shifts one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then toss a 5-5, you will be able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your competitor is now in serious difficulty since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your home board!
The Backgame
This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent’s home board. (An anchor spot is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It would be employed when you are significantly behind as this action much improves your opportunities. The strongest places for anchors are near your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with one point separating them. Timing is important for an effective backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then required to dismantle this straight away, while your opponent is shifting their checkers home, owing to the fact that you don’t have any other spare checkers to move! In this situation, it is better to have checkers on the bar so that you are able to maintain your position up until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!
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