Backgammon Opening Moves

When playing backgammon, playing the opening roll has a great affect as to the reminder of the game and many experts agree that one of the basic strategy in backgammon is knowing the correct opening moves. Lets review the opening moves in backgammon.

The oldest known game in the history of mankind is Backgammon. Throughout the history of the game experts backgammon players from all over the world have analyzed each possible move, putting special emphasis on the backgammon opening moves. The results of these studies into the backgammon opening moves have agreed upon certain opening moves are universally correct. This, of course, serves to the benefit of beginners to the game of backgammon since any novice can always be sure that he is making the right backgammon opening move.

·6-6 - will allow you to close both your and your opponents 7 points.

·5-5 - you should always move 2 pieces from your midpoint (12 point) to your 3-point.

·4-4 - you can create with ease an anchor on your opponents 5 point and your own 9 point.

·3-3 - will help you make your 5 point and your opponents 4 point.

·2-2 - can help you close the 5 point of your opponent by moving your back pieces twice.

·1-1 - one of the greatest combinations to start with as you can close both your 7 point and your 5 point, two of the most important pieces on the board.

One of the best opening moves would be 3-1 as it will allow you to close your 5 point. An opening move of 6-1 will close the 7 point and a 4-2 opening move will close the 4 point. If your opening move is 5-4, 5-3, 5-2, 4-3 and 3-2 you should move two checkers from your midpoint; however an opening move of 2-3, 4-5 and 4-3 can be used to close one of the opponent's points and move one checker from the midpoint. An opening move of 5-4 can alternatively move one of the back pieces nine points ahead.

The opening moves of 6-5, 6-4, 6-3 and 6-2 most of the time should move one of the back pieces using both dices. In addition you can also move one checker from the back to your opponent's 7 point and move another checker from the midpoint. Even today, after countless years of play and study, expert players still debate on what you should do with the 6-2 opening move, even so many are inclined on moving one piece from the midpoint and slot the 5 point.

With the opening rolls of 2-1, 4-1 and 5-1 you can split your back pieces in your opponents home board or slot the 5 point and move one piece from the midpoint with the reminder dice.

By knowing your Backgammonopening moves you are already getting a head start on your opponent and eventually the game.

If you want to read more articles in this and similar topics please go back to our main Backgammon Strategies page.