In astonishingly general terms, there are 3 basic game plans used. You want to be able to switch tactics quickly as the course of the game unfolds.

The Blockade

This involves creating a 6-deep wall of pieces, or at a minimum as deep as you can manage, to block in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is deemed to be the most acceptable strategy at the begining of the game. You can create the wall anywhere between your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.

The Blitz

This is comprised of locking your home board as fast as possible while keeping your opposer on the bar. i.e., if your competitor rolls an early two and moves one checker from your 1-point to your 3-point and you then toss a five-five, you can play 6/1 six/one eight/three eight/three. Your challenger is now in big-time trouble since they have 2 pieces on the bar and you have closed half your inside board!

The Backgame

This tactic is where you have two or more anchors in your competitor’s inner board. (An anchor spot is a point consisting of at least 2 of your checkers.) It needs to be played when you are significantly behind as it greatly improves your opportunities. The best areas for anchors are towards your opponent’s smaller points and either on adjoining points or with a single point in between. Timing is important for an effective backgame: after all, there is no reason having two nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own inner board if you are then required to break up this straight away, while your competitor is shifting their pieces home, because you do not have any other spare checkers to shift! In this situation, it is more favorable to have checkers on the bar so that you can preserve your position up till your opponent gives you a chance to hit, so it may be an excellent idea to try and get your challenger to get them in this case!