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In very general terms, there are 3 basic game plans employed. You want to be able to hop between strategies almost instantly as the course of the match unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you can achieve, to lock in your competitor's pieces that are located on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable procedure at the start of the match. You can build the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your 2-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is composed of locking your home board as quick as as you can while keeping your opponent 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 toss a five-five, you can play six/one six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opposer is now in big-time dire straits because they have two pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inner board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have 2 or more checkers in your competitor's home board. (An anchor is a point occupied by at least 2 of your pieces.) It should be used when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your opportunities. The strongest locations for anchors are close to your opponent's smaller points and also on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: after all, there's no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own inner board if you are then forced to break up this right away, while your opposer is moving their pieces home, considering that you do not have any other spare pieces to shift! In this situation, it's better to have checkers on the bar so that you might preserve your position until your challenger gives you a chance to hit, so it will be a good idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!