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In exceptionally general terms, there are 3 basic strategies employed. You want to be agile enough to hop between strategies instantly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves assembling a 6-thick wall of checkers, or at a minimum as deep as you are able to achieve, to barricade in the competitor's checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable course of action at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shuffle it into your home board as the game continues.

The Blitz

This involves locking your home board as quickly as possible while keeping your competitor on the bar. i.e., if your challenger rolls an early two and moves one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a five-five, you will be able to play six/one 6/1 eight/three 8/3. Your competitor is now in serious trouble since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!

The Backgame

This strategy is where you have two or higher checkers in your opponent's home board. (An anchor spot is a position consisting of at a minimum two of your checkers.) It should be played when you are extremely behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best locations for anchor spots are towards your opponent's lower points and also on abutting points or with one point in between. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a complete wall in your own home board if you are then forced to break apart this straight away, while your opponent is moving their checkers home, taking into account that you do not have any other additional checkers to move! In this situation, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up until your challenger provides you an opportunity to hit, so it can be a great idea to attempt and get your competitor to get them in this case!