Opening Moves
There are a total of 15 different opening moves available.
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2:32:42:52:63:4
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Early doubles. The first player will never get a double, but same principles apply during most early moves:
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Main Openings
1:2
Move 6/5 to slot the valuable 5 point, and 13/11 to remove a surplus counter from 13 and help build the 5 and 7 points.
1:3
Make the 5 point, removing surplus chequers from the 8 and 6 points.
1:4
13 to 9, 6 to 5 leaves two chequers exposed, slotting the valuable 5 point.
1:5
13 to 8, 6 to 5 leaves a chequer on the 5 point.
1:6
Make the 7 point using surplus chequers from the 13 and 8 points.
2:3
Move 13/11 and 13/10 to bring two surplus chequers from the 13 point into play, and to enhance the
probability of building the key blocking points on 7 and 5.
2:4
Build on the 4 point by moving 8/4, 6/4.
2:5
Remove two surplus chequers from the 13 point by moving 13/11 and 13/8.
2:6
Run from 24/18 and 13/11.
3:4
Remove two surplus chequers by playing 13/10, 13/9.
3:5
Build the 3 point by moving 6/3, 8/3.
3:6
Run 13/10 and 24/18.
4:5
Play 13/9 and 13/8 to bring two surplus chequers into play.
4:6
Run from 24/18, 18/13 to try to free one of your runners.
5:6
Run from 24/18, 18/13 to escape one of your runners.
<- doubles >
Opening Doubles
1:1
Move from 8/7, 8/7 and 6/5, 6/5 to form two valuable points in your home board.
2:2
Move 13/11, 13/11 and 6/4, 6/4.
3:3
Move 24/21, 24/21 and 8/5, 8/5.
4:4
Move 24/20, 24/20 and 13/9, 13/9.
5:5
5
Run from 13/8, 13/8 then 8/3, 8/3.
6:6
Move 24/18, 24/18 and 13/7, 13/7.
Backgammon Tutorial Key Points on the Board