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Rivered Backgammon Article

Backgammon Opening Rolls

Backgammon has a smaller variation of "starting hands" compared to poker - or Opening Rolls as they are know in backgammon.

If you are a beginner to backgammon take your time and look at the whole board before you make your play. After a while the opening backgammon moves will be second nature to you, but as a beginner you always want to give yourself the best chance by playing the correct opening moves. Never rush your turn and also never move a checker before knowing where the second checker will go.

Doubles
6-6: Move 2 checkers from 24 to 18 and 2 checkers from 13 to 7
5-5: Move 2 checkers from 13 to 3
4-4: Move 2 checkers from 24 to 20 and 2 checkers from 13 to 9
3-3: Move 2 checkers from 24 to 21 and 2 checkers from 8 to 5
2-2: There are options here : Move 2 checkers from 24 to 20 or you could close the 11 and 4 points by moving your checkers on the 13 and 6 point
1-1: Move 2 checkers from 8 to 7 and 2 checkers from 6 to 5

Non Doubles
6-5: Move the checker from 24 to 13
6-4: Many options here! Either move 24 to 14 or 24 to 18 and 13 to 9 or you can even do 8 to 2 and 6 to 2
6-3: Move 24 to 18 and 13 to 10
6-2: Move 24 to 18 and 13 to 11
6-1: Move 13 to 7 and 8 to 7
5-4: 24 to 20 and 13 to 8 or you can move 13 to 9 and 13 to 8 but the first play is slightly better
5-3: Move 8 to 3 and 6 to 3
5-2: Move 24 to 22 and 13 to 8 - there is a 55 threat to this play but it is the best play...
5-1: Move 24 to 23 and 13 to 8
4-3: Either move 13 to 10 and 13 to 9 or move checkers 24 to 20 and 13 to 10
4-2: Move 8 to 4 and 6 to 4
4-1: Move 24 to 23 and 13 to 9
3-2: Move 24 to 21 and 13 to 11
3-1: Move 8 to 5 and 6 to 5
2-1: Either move 13 to 11 and 6 to 5 or move 24 to 23 and 13 to 11