The opening is the first move in the game and often one of the most critical. Unlike chess, in backgammon, you don’t choose what you roll, but you do choose how to use what you get. Right here, in the very first move, the difference between an experienced and an inexperienced player becomes clear.
Some dice combinations offer excellent opportunities. There are moves that are mathematically proven to be superior to all alternatives. Other combinations are neutral, leaving room for judgment. And some are simply not great, where the key is knowing how to limit the damage.
In this lesson, we will go through the most important opening combinations, explain what you play, and more importantly, why..
Which positions are strategically important?
Before we look at specific moves, it is important to understand what you are actually trying to achieve in the opening. In backgammon, some points are worth more than others — securing these points early in the game gives you a serious advantage.
The three most important points in the opening are:
- The 5-point (yours) — the golden point. Two checkers here create a powerful block near your home board and directly make it harder for your opponent to enter checkers from the bar. Securing this point on the first move is one of the best outcomes you can get.
- The 4-point (yours) — the silver point. Slightly less powerful than the 5-point, but still an excellent position that solidifies your home board and builds the foundation for a blockade.
- The 7-point (the bar point) — strategically crucial because it blocks the opponent’s checkers trying to break out of your home board. Securing this point in the opening gives you control over the central part of the board.
Almost every good opening move has one goal: to make one of these points, or to position yourself to do so on the next turn.
Excellent opening combinations
Some dice combinations are so good that there is only one correct move. Experienced players play them automatically.
5-3 → 3-point. Two checkers from the 8-point and 6-point to the 3-point. Less powerful than the three above, but still direct and risk-free — you are building your home board step by step..
3-1 → 5-point. Two checkers from the 8-point and 6-point to the 5-point. This is perhaps the most beautiful opening in backgammon — in a single move, you make the golden point and build a solid block. There is no dilemma, no alternative.
6-1 → 7-point (bar point). One checker from the 13-point and one from the 8-point to the 7-point. You make the bar point and immediately gain control over the central part of the board. Another move that is a total no-brainer.
4-2 → 4-point. Two checkers from the 8-point and 6-point to the 4-point. You make the silver point and solidify your home board. A solid, safe move with a clear strategic goal.
Good opening combinations
These combinations do not provide an immediate block on a key point, but they offer useful options. This is where a player’s experience starts to shine.
2-1 → To the 11-point or shifting on the 24-point. A modest combination, but it still makes sense: moving a checker from the 13-point to the 11-point spots a “builder” — a checker that can help you secure key points on subsequent turns. Alternatively, you can step up with a checker from the 24-point to the 23-point, which is a more defensive option.
6-5 → One checker from the 24-point to the 13-point. A classic move — you advance your furthest checker to the safety of the midpoint in a single leap. You aren’t building a block, but you eliminate the huge risk of that checker being hit.
6-4 → The 2-point or running from the 24-point. Two options: you either make a block on the 2-point (less valuable, but safe), or you try to run with a checker from the 24-point to the 18-point. The second option is more aggressive and carries risk, but also a reward if your opponent doesn’t hit your checker.
4-3 → Developing into the outfield. One checker from the 13-point to the 9-point and another from the 13-point to the 10-point — or a combination of developing and attacking. There is no spectacular point-making, but you build a flexible position with checkers in the outfield, ready for the next move.
Neutral and difficult opening combinations
Some combinations are simply not great. Even an experienced player cannot pull a brilliant move out of bad dice, but they can minimize risk and remain flexible.
6-6, 4-4, 3-3… (doubles) → A story of their own. Doubles in the opening are always massive because you play four moves instead of two. For example, a 3-3 means you can make both the 5-point and the 3-point at the same time — an incredibly powerful position right on the first turn. Every double in the opening carries immense strategic value and deserves special attention.
6-2 → The 18-point or developing. The most common move is a checker from the 24-point to the 18-point — a partial escape that reduces the risk of getting trapped, but leaves the checker as a blot in the opponent’s territory without support. The alternative is developing from the 13-point to the 11-point, which builds your position but doesn’t solve the problem of your back checkers.
6-3 → The 18-point or the 21-point. Similar to 6-2, but even trickier. Moving a checker from the 24-point to the 18-point leaves it exposed, while moving from the 24-point to the 21-point is even riskier. Many experienced players still choose to run, as passive play in this situation does not help in the long run.
5-2 → The 13-point or splitting to the 22-point. There is no natural point to make. The most common move is a checker from the 13-point to the 8-point and a checker from the 24-point to the 22-point, splitting your back checkers and bringing a builder down, preparing for a future block but with no immediate effect.
5-1 → Splitting to the 23-point. A useful option here is to split your back checkers by moving from the 24-point to the 23-point, and bringing a checker from the 13-point to the 8-point. It is not exciting, but it keeps your position stable.
The opening is just the beginning
Mastering the opening doesn’t mean you will automatically win, but it ensures you won’t lose the game on the very first move. A player who consistently opens well builds a position from which they can respond to whatever the opponent does.
A few things worth remembering:
- A good opening isn’t always possible — the dice decide. The difference between a good and a bad player isn’t that they always get great combinations, but that they know what to do with every combination they roll.
- There is no “single correct answer” for every situation. The match context, the opponent’s style, and the current score can all influence which move is the smartest. However, the principles remain the same: secure valuable points, stay flexible, and don’t expose checkers without a good reason.
- Finally, the opening is learned through repetition. After you play a hundred games, the good moves become instinctive. Until then, this lesson is your guide.
This video shows you the most favorable opening moves that even top players practice:
