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In extraordinarily general terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You need to be able to switch tactics instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This comprises of building a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at a minimum as thick as you might achieve, to block in your opponent's pieces that are on your 1-point. This is judged to be the most adequate tactic at the begining of the game. You can assemble the wall anywhere between your 11-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the match advances.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your challenger on the bar. i.e., if your opponent rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then toss a 5-5, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in big-time trouble since they have two checkers on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or higher pieces in your opponent's home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum two of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest locations for anchors are near your competitor's smaller points and also on adjacent points or with a single point in between. Timing is critical for an effectual backgame: besides, there's no point having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break down this right away, while your challenger is shifting their pieces home, owing to the fact that you don't have any other additional checkers to shift! In this case, it's more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor provides you an opportunity to hit, so it may be a wonderful idea to attempt and get your competitor to hit them in this situation!