In very simple terms, there are 3 main tactics employed. You need to be able to hop between strategies quickly as the action of the game unfolds.
The Blockade
This is composed of assembling a 6-thick wall of pieces, or at least as deep as you might achieve, to lock in your opponent’s checkers that are on your 1-point. This is considered to be the most adequate strategy at the start of the game. You can create the wall anywhere inbetween your eleven-point and your two-point and then shift it into your home board as the game progresses.
The Blitz
This involves closing your home board as quickly as as you can while keeping your opponent on the bar. e.g., if your opposer tosses an early 2 and shifts one piece from your 1-point to your three-point and you then roll a 5-5, you are able to play 6/1 six/one eight/three 8/3. Your opponent is now in big-time calamity seeing that they have two checkers on the bar and you have locked half your inside board!
The Backgame
This plan is where you have 2 or more anchors in your competitor’s home board. (An anchor is a position filled by at a minimum 2 of your checkers.) It must be played when you are extremely behind as this plan much improves your circumstances. The best places for anchor spots are near your opponent’s lower points and either on adjoining points or with a single point separating them. Timing is integral for a powerful backgame: besides, there is no point having 2 nice anchor spots and a solid wall in your own home board if you are then required to break apart this straight away, while your opposer is getting their pieces home, because you don’t have any other spare pieces to shift! In this case, it is more tolerable to have checkers on the bar so that you can maintain your position until your competitor gives you a chance to hit, so it may be a great idea to attempt and get your opponent to get them in this situation!
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