Your first move in backgammon shapes the entire game. There are 21 possible opening rolls, and modern computer analysis has shown that some plays are clearly stronger than others. Here's a guide to the best opening moves and the reasoning behind them.
Why Opening Moves Matter
Backgammon's opening determines your position's flexibility. Strong openings build inner-board points, prepare priming structures, or initiate races. Computers like XG and GNU have studied billions of openings — the modern theory below reflects their conclusions.
Strongest Openings (Make a Point)
3-1: Play 8/5, 6/5 — make your 5-point. The single best opening roll. The 5-point is the "golden point" — it slows the opponent's back checkers and builds a future prime.
4-2: Play 8/4, 6/4 — make your 4-point. The second-best roll, critical for priming and trapping back checkers.
6-1: Play 13/7, 8/7 — make your bar point. This blocks the opponent's 6-point escape and starts a powerful priming structure.
Builders (Setting Up Future Points)
5-3: Play 8/3, 6/3 — make the 3-point. Solid but less ideal than 5 or 4-point.
6-3: Play 24/18, 13/10 — the "lover's leap." Escapes a back checker and brings a builder down.
6-4: Play 24/18 to escape one back checker. Modern theory prefers the escape over making the 2-point.
Splitting Openings
2-1: Play 13/11, 24/23 — split the back checkers and bring a builder.
4-1: Play 13/9, 24/23 — split and build.
5-1: Play 13/8, 24/23 — bring a checker to the 8-point and split.
Mixed Plays
5-2: Play 13/11, 13/8 — two builders down to a strong middle position.
6-5: Play 24/13 — race your back checker all the way to safety on the mid-point.
5-4: Play 24/15 (running) or 13/8, 24/20 (splitting). Both reasonable.
6-2: Play 13/5 — slot the 5-point. A modern aggressive play; risk a blot but you'll often make the golden point next turn.
Opening Doubles
Doubles on the opening roll are powerful: 6-6 makes both bar and 2-points, 4-4 plays 24/20, 13/9, 3-3 typically plays 24/21, 13/10. Even 1-1 makes the 5 and bar points immediately, which is enormous.
Closing Tips
Memorize 3-1, 4-2, and 6-1 as your "make-a-point" rolls — they almost always have one best play. For everything else, choose between safety (no blots) and pressure (slotting a key point). As you improve, study how the computer evaluates positions — small advantages early can compound into wins.