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In astonishingly general terms, there are three basic techniques used. You need to be agile enough to switch techniques quickly as the action of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as thick as you are able to achieve, to block in the competitor's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most suitable strategy at the begining of the game. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the match continues.

The Blitz

This consists of locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your opponent on the bar. i.e., if your challenger tosses an early 2 and moves one checker from your one-point to your 3-point and you then roll a five-five, you can play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time difficulty since they have two pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher pieces in your competitor's inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least two of your pieces.) It would be used when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your circumstances. The strongest areas for anchor spots are near your opponent's smaller points and also on abutting points or with one point separating them. Timing is integral for a competent backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchors and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this straight away, while your opponent is moving their pieces home, seeing that you do not have any other spare checkers to move! In this case, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opposer gives you a chance to hit, so it can be a good idea to attempt and get your challenger to get them in this situation!