If you only memorize one reusable edge in backgammon, make it the opening book. These 15 non-double opening rolls come up constantly, and knowing the best reply gives you cleaner structure, better timing, and fewer early mistakes.
The opening roll does not decide the whole game, but it does shape your first strategic plan. Great opening replies do one of a few high-value things: make a key point, improve a back checker safely, or create future builders without overexposing your structure.
For improving players, the opening book matters because it removes hesitation. Instead of improvising every first turn, you begin from a tested base and spend more of your attention on the next decision.
Shortcut: Early backgammon is mostly about point-making, mobility, and not giving away loose shots for no compensation. The 5-point is gold. The bar-point is next. Safe escapes are better than fancy plays when a clean builder is unavailable.
Backgammon notation describes a move by its start point and destination point. For example, 13/8 means move one checker from the 13-point to the 8-point. If two moves are listed, you play both dice in sequence.
These are the mainstream reference plays for the 15 non-double opening rolls. You will see slight stylistic variation in books and bots, but this set is the right baseline for fast practical play.
| Roll | Best play | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| 3-1 | Make the 5-point (8/5, 6/5) | The most valuable point on the board. It improves offense, defense, and future primes all at once. |
| 6-1 | Make the bar-point (13/7, 8/7) | Starts a strong prime structure and gives your midpoint builders a clear follow-up plan. |
| 4-2 | Make the 4-point (8/4, 6/4) | Solid home-board development that works naturally with the 6-point you already own. |
| 5-3 | Make the 3-point (8/3, 6/3) | Less powerful than the 5- or 4-point, but still a clean point-making opening. |
| 6-4 | Run (24/14) | Escapes a back checker cleanly and improves your racing flexibility immediately. |
| 6-5 | Run (24/13) | Brings a back checker all the way to the midpoint, maximizing early mobility. |
| 6-3 | Run (24/15) | A practical escape that avoids clumsy duplication and keeps your structure balanced. |
| 6-2 | Run (24/16) | Still exposed, but usually better than awkward slotting without enough builders behind it. |
| 5-4 | Run (24/15) | Gets a back checker moving while preserving flexible builders on the midpoint. |
| 5-2 | Run (24/17) | Not glamorous, but the simple escape plan usually beats loose structural complications. |
| 5-1 | Slot the 5-point (13/8, 6/5*) | A classic high-upside opening: you risk a blot in exchange for fighting directly for the best point. |
| 4-3 | Run (24/20, 13/10) | Improves a back checker and starts pointing builders toward the bar-point. |
| 4-1 | Split and slot (24/23, 13/9) | Creates dynamic structure and starts a useful builder pattern without overcommitting. |
| 3-2 | Make the 11-point (13/11, 13/10) | Builds outer-board control and leaves you flexible for both racing and priming plans. |
| 2-1 | Split and slot (13/11, 6/5*) | A sharp opening that fights for the 5-point while improving future builders. |
You do not need to memorize the whole table on day one. Start by remembering the shape of strong openings:
Whenever you can make the 5-point, do it. The bar-point is usually the next-best constructive target. Clean point-making openings are almost always the easiest to play afterward.
Many 6-x and 5-4 style openings are just clean running plays. Escaping a back checker is often stronger than leaving loose shots for the sake of activity.
Moves like 5-1 and 2-1 are aggressive because the reward is huge: control of the 5-point. Slot when the positional upside is worth the tactical risk.
If you want the broader plan after the first roll, pair this page with the strategy guide. If you are still learning movement and timing, keep the rules guide nearby too.
Practical training tip: Run short AI sessions where you pause on the opening roll and name the move before you click it. Ten minutes of deliberate repetition is worth more than rereading the list passively.
Read the roll, call the move, and play it immediately. Roll-Cube gives you a fast board for AI reps and a quick path into live games when you want pressure.